Autonomous

Technology

Autonomous Self-Driving Bicycle is Powered by a Computer Chip

By Bill Smith February 17, 2021

Researchers from Tsinghua University have developed an autonomous self-driving bicycle that can even maneuver itself around and over obstacles. How? It’s powered by a Tianjic chip, which integrates two approaches to provide a hybrid, synergistic platform. In other words, it uses a multi-core architecture, reconfigurable building blocks and a streamlined dataflow with hybrid coding schemes that not only accommodates computer-science-based machine-learning algorithms, but also easily implement brain-inspired circuits and several coding schemes.

Automotive

What a Fully Autonomous Microsoft Surface Car Could Look Like

By Jackson Chung February 4, 2021

Photo credit: Yang Gu-Rum
Most people know Microsoft Surface as a series of touchscreen-based personal computers and interactive whiteboards that run the Windows operating system, but what if some of this technology made its way into a fully autonomous vehicle? Industrial designer Yang Gu-Rum from Korea gives us a glimpse at what a Microsoft Surface Car could look like, and at first glance, it looks to be minimalist all around, or at least on the outside.

Automotive

Sony Vision-S Electric Sedan Gets Tested on European Roads in CES 2021 Debut

By Bill Smith January 12, 2021

For those unfamiliar with the Sony Vision-S, it’s essentially an all-electric sedan concept with components from Magna International, Continental AG, Elektrobit and Benteler / Bosch. Boasting always-on connectivity, complete with 33 sensors that include CMOS, solid state LiDAR, radar and time-of-flight cameras, which together, form an advanced driver assistance suite called “Safety Cocoon”. Step inside, and you’ll find a panoramic touchscreen integrated directly into the dashboard, paired with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio.

Automotive

Apple Reportedly Working on Self-Driving Electric Car Project with TSMC

By Bill Smith December 10, 2020

Tesla may have some competition in the self-driving electric car realm from Apple in the near future, and they’ll be partnering with TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) for the brain. The chips from TSMC are expected to be used in the Apple Car some time between 2023 and 2025. Yesterday, Apple transferred its self-driving car team, who worked under the code name Project Titan, to artificial intelligence and machine learning head John Giannandrea.

Automotive

ERKA Autonomous Ambulance Has a Built-in Drone That Surveys the Area

By Bill Smith October 21, 2020

Photo credit: Roman Ignatowski and Maja Bryniarska
In case of emergency, time is of essence, and what better way to ensure the quickest help than with an autonomous ambulance? Meet the ERKA Autonomous Ambulance, which comes with a built-in drone that can survey the area to locate the person(s) in need of attention. Its compact design allows the vehicle to skip around traffic safely, while its wheels are capable of turning 90-degrees for maximum maneuverability.