In an article for Forbes, research scientist Bryan Reimer argues for an increased focus on advances in collaborative driving. “With automation assisting drivers to a greater degree, enhancing safety while reducing the day-to-day stresses of driving could more easily be the first of many stepping-stones on the long path to self-driving and driverless vehicles,” writes Reimer.
Bloomberg News spotlights how MIT researchers have developed a fleet of autonomous boats that can automatically latch onto one another. Bloomberg notes that the boats will be able to “transport goods and people, collect trash and assemble into floating stages and bridges.”
Boston Globe reporter Martin Finucane writes that MIT researchers have developed an automated latching system that could enable a fleet of autonomous boats to connect to docking stations and other boats. Finucane explains that in turbulent water, “after a missed first attempt, the system can autonomously adapt, repositioning the roboat and latching.”
Popular Mechanics reporter Daisy Hernandez writes that MIT researchers have developed an autonomous aquatic boat that can target and latch onto one another to form new structures. Hernandez writes that the boats were conceived “as a way to explore new modes of transportation and help improve traffic flow.”
TechCrunch reporter Darrell Etherington writes that MIT researchers have developed a new system that enables autonomous boats to latch onto one another to create new structures. Etherington explains that the researchers envision fleets of autonomous boats forming “on-demand urban infrastructure, including stages for concerts, walking bridges or even entire outdoor markets.”
In an article for the Financial Times, research affiliate Ashley Nunes explores how drivers for ride-sharing services are protesting low pay by banding together to temporarily raise prices. Nunes argues that based off the lack of earnings clarity, “company execs shouldn’t be surprised when workers are willing to game the system for a pay hike.”
May Mobility, a company founded by MIT alumnus Edwin Olson, will begin offering a free shuttle service on autonomous electric minibuses in Rhode Island, reports Hiawatha Bray for The Boston Globe. Bray explains that the company “mapped the shuttle route with lasers, which are extremely accurate, and uses an onboard laser-based guidance system that constantly confirms the bus is on track.”
Writing for Nature, research affiliate Ashley Nunes cautions that the role of driverless cars in society must be closely investigated before they are integrated into mainstream modes of transportation. “Driverless-car technology might have the potential to improve public health and save lives,” Nunes writes, “but if those who most need it don’t have access, whose lives would we actually be saving?”
The Economist highlights a study co-authored by research affiliate Ashley Nunes that examines the economic feasibility of driverless taxis. The researchers found that riding in a driverless taxi is more expensive per mile than driving your own car.
A new paper by MIT researchers examines the economic feasibility of autonomous taxis, reports Jamie Powell for the Financial Times. The study, writes Powell, finds that at current prices, “an automated hive of driverless taxis will actually be more expensive for a consumer to use than the old-world way of owning four wheels.”
Writing for Forbes, research engineer Bryan Reimer examines Elon Musk’s recent comments about the future of driverless vehicles. Reimer explains that while there likely won’t be a fully self-driving vehicle system available in the next few years, there will be “an evolution of features that utilize drivers as a backup to the automation in situations requiring intervention.”
Writing for Axios, Prof. Daniela Rus, director of CSAIL, argues that technological advancement is needed to allow autonomous vehicles to operate outside well-traversed areas. “AVs still can’t function in many scenarios, including unmapped roads,” writes Rus. “Additional advances in sensor technology, mapping, algorithms for perception and more will move AVs closer to full autonomy anywhere.”
Guardian reporter Dominic Rushe highlights research affiliate Ashley Nunes’ research showing that the cost of fully self-driving vehicles may be the biggest roadblock to integrating automated vehicles into the transportation system. “People want to talk about the tech, people want to talk about the ethics. No one wants to talk about the cost,” says Nunes.
In an article for USA Today, research affiliate Ashley Nunes explores the feasibility of creating fully self-driving vehicles. “Unless these systems are proven faultless (which they aren’t), ceding control of public safety to algorithmic rather than human intuitions is an unlikely prospect at best,” writes Nunes. “There goes the let-the-robot-drive future we were promised.”
WHDH-TV spotlights how research engineer Dane Kouttron has created a self-driving snow blower “powered by a lithium battery that can keep the robot running for four hours continuously.”