As part of HUBweek, more than two dozen robots were publicly displayed at City Hall Plaza reports Kim Tunnicliffe for CBS Boston. The “robot block party” featured an autonomous vehicle petting zoo, which included “self-driving vehicles created by nuTonomy, Optimus Ride, Delphi and a collaboration between Toyota and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”
Writing for the Associated Press about autonomous boats, Matt O’Brien spotlights Prof. Carlo Ratti’s work developing self-navigating vessels that will launch in Amsterdam next year. O’Brien notes that Ratti is, “also looking at ways small vessels could coordinate with each other in ‘swarms.’”
MIT researchers have developed a new “socially aware” robot that can follow the rules of pedestrian conduct, reports Ben Thompson for The Boston Globe. Thompson explains that the robot, “can seamlessly move with people in public spaces. The technology could eventually lead to robots that perform a variety of delivery and transportation tasks.”
Research engineer Bryan Reimer speaks with Chuck Tannert of Fast Company about the need for more investment in technology that can help make cars safer. “It is clear that safety on the nation’s roads is in question, necessitating a review of investments to double down on what is working and innovate where needed,” Reimer explains.
MIT researchers have developed a system that allows drones to scan and read RFID tags, reports Amy Wallace for UPI. Rather than use the drones to carry RFID readers, researchers found a way to use “the drones to relay signals emitted by a standard RFID reader, allowing for the more effective locating of tags,” writes Wallace.
CSAIL researchers have developed drones that can drive and fly through a city-like setting, reports Gareth Mitchell for BBC News. The goal for this research is to have the vehicles “coordinate with each other and make intelligent decisions when they fly and drive,” says graduate student Brandon Araki.
MIT researchers have designed a drone that can stay aloft for several days and could serve as an airborne telecommunications hub for disaster zones, reports Katherine Lin for NBC News. Prof. Warren Hoburg explains that the aircraft has a, “five-day endurance that is sized to carry a 10-pound payload at 15,000 feet.”
Wired reporter Aarian Marshall writes that researchers from the MIT AgeLab are examining driver behavior in an effort to reduce distracted driving fatalities. The researcher developed an algorithm that can help predict crashes based on driver behavior, which could eventually be used to “build and then test products that are safe to use in the car.”
Wired reporter Matt Simon writes that CSAIL researchers have developed a system of drones that can successfully fly and drive through a city-like setting. Simon explains that the framework is a good step, “toward imagining a transportation infrastructure that works in three dimensions, not just two.”
TechCrunch reporter Brian Heater writes that MIT researchers have developed a drone that can stay aloft for five days on a single tank of gas. “In addition to supporting areas in the wake of a disaster, the team believes the drone could go a ways toward helping tech companies…achieve their longstanding…dream of delivering internet access to rural areas.”
UPI reporter Brooks Hays writes about MIT spinout Open Water Power, which developed a battery that can be powered by seawater. Hays writes that the, “technology promises to extend the range and capabilities of unpiloted underwater vehicles, or UUVs.”
Wired reporter Tom Simonite highlights how Prof. Daniela Rus is developing technology that enables a car’s computer to take control from human drivers to help prevent accidents. “Eventually everyone will get to autonomy, but the technology’s not ready yet,” explains Rus. “This is an intermediate step we can take to make driving safer in the meantime.”
In an article for The New York Times about the growing number of autonomous public transportation programs in Europe, Mark Scott highlights Prof. Carlo Ratti’s work testing driverless boats in Amsterdam. In addition to ferrying people and goods, the driverless boats will also be able to “automatically dock with each other, creating on-demand bridges and walkways whenever necessary."
Research engineer Bryan Reimer speaks with Asma Khalid and Tanya Mosely of Radio Boston about a study showing that consumers are growing less comfortable with the prospect of autonomous vehicles.
A study from the AgeLab found that most people would not buy a completely driverless car. “Respondents said they're uncomfortable with the loss of control and don't trust the technology. They also don't feel self-driving cars are safe,” writes Zeninjor Enwemeka for WBUR.