Chapter Eight of Seventeen
Chapter 8: A.I. & Self-Driving Cars
This is a topic that is often discussed in modern society, but few have experienced or understand the underlying technology behind self-driving cars, and other autonomous vehicles. Where did this concept come from? How did the race for self-driving dominance emerge? We will discuss a very brief history of the self-driving vehicle in modern times, discuss the critical components of self-driving vehicles, and explore examples of commercial self-driving vehicles and/or concept cars.
Modern self-driving cars and the commercial and societal infatuation comes largely the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, otherwise known as DARPA. In 2004, DARPA ran the Grand Challenge, with the goal of spurring American ingenuity to quicken the development of autonomous vehicle technologies, that could be then applied to military applications. The event offers a prize of $1 million dollars or more. The Stanford Racing Team was the first to complete the competition, winning a $2 million prize, with a time of 6 hours, 53 minutes. The terrain is 132 miles over desert terrain. This challenged helped to expedite the development and commercial viability to self-driving vehicles. It is important to understand where things come from, so you can understand where they are going. Now, let us discuss the different critical components of a self-driving vehicle.
What are the various components of a Self-Driving Car? What make it different from non-autonomous vehicles? What do the instruments do? How do they protect the passengers, or add value to the overall concept and/or design? There are different arrangements among self-driving cars and manufacturer preferences, however, most self-driving cars have the following: GPS, Ultrasonic Sensors, Odometry Sensors, Central Computer, Lidar, Video Cameras, and Radar Sensors. Also, self-driving vehicles come in levels, from 0-5, with level 5 being full autonomy. Most vehicles on the road today, are level 2 or level 3 autonomy, meaning they still have steering wheels or pedals, allowing for direct driver interaction.
Your DNA survived a few ice ages and pandemics, so understanding IoT, should be a peace of cake.GPS (global positioning system) combines its readings with those of the tachometers, altimeters, and gyroscopes to provide the most accurate positioning. Ultrasonic Sensors measure the positions of objects very close to the vehicles. The Odometry sensors complement and improve GPS Information. The Central Computer process all sensor inputs, applies algorithms, controls steering, acceleration, and braking. Lidar, provides light detection and ranging, in order to monitor the vehicle's surroundings (road, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.). Video cameras inside and outside of the vehicle help to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, including road vehicles, pedestrians, animals, as well as traffic signs and signals. Finally, radar sensors on the perimeter of the vehicle monitor the vehicles surroundings (road, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.). Now that we have covered the various components of the self-driving vehicle system, let us explore some of the modern self-driving cars and prototypical designs, to give us a glimpse into the future.
The first concept is a Quarter Car private ride-sharing and driver-less concept by Seymourpowell. The multidisciplinary studio, Seymourpowell, has designed a "private shared" ride-hailing service, which features retractable partitions and air-purifying technology. The concept seeks to create more personal experiences during ride-sharing, with four seats that can be separated with an adjustable partition.
Our next vehicle, is the Prophecy concept car by Hyundai. The vehicle is designed to make you fall in love. Literally. The all-black model is an electric and self-driving car, which seeks to create an emotional response between humans and and autonomous vehicles. The company calls it "optimistic futurism". The four-seater driver-less car has a spacious interior due to its electric power-train. In place of where the steering wheel would be, are two joy sticks. In recline mode, the dashboard moves down and allows are more spacious view and experience, as well as exposing an electronic display.
The next vehicle, is a beautiful concept car by Renault, the Morphoz, which is an all-electric vehicle with Level 3 Autonomy, and an A.I. powered smart system, that enables the vehicle to recognize its driver on approach. The vehicle was set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The vehicle is powered by a battery with a range of up to 249 miles for day journeys. In travel mode, the car extends to 4.80 meters long, from the city version of 4.40 meters long, with an expanded wheel base for extra legroom and space for two more suit cases.
The next vehicle is a luxury car by Bentley, the EXP 100 GT Concept car, that pairs artificial intelligence with sustainable materials made from recycled rice-husks and wine-production waste. The vehicle is fully electric with the option of autonomous driving. The cabin trims are completed with 5,000 year-old copper-infused river wood sourced from the Fenland Black Oak Project, an organization set up to preserve materials for future generations. This vehicle seeks to provide the passenger and the driver with equally luxurious experiences. The cabin is integration with the A.I. powered Bentley Personal Assistant, which enables users to make commands through hand gestures made to the front or rear interfaces. Passengers can also record their journeys, turn on air-purification mode, or turn the glass opaque for privacy. Sensors in the vehicle track eye and head movement, as well as blood pressure. The vehicle can go from zero to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180+ mph. It takes 15 minutes to charge to 80 percent capacity.
The next vehicle is a concept car from Volvo, the 360c, is an all-electric, self-driving vehicle that can double as a mobile office, bedroom, or living room. The vehicle seeks to make unproductive down-time wasted during transport, productive time spent sleeping, working, or meeting with family and friends. This vehicle lacks a steering wheel or engine, due to Level 5 Autonomy, leaving a maximum amount of interior space. A fold-away bed can even convert the car to a prime sleeping environment. An LED communication band on the exterior of the vehicle, allows the vehicle to communicate externally with other human drivers and pedestrians about its movement.
Ultimately, self-driving cars are a technology that will have large implications on the movement of goods and people across the globe. However, this technology does not only impact personal vehicles, but also industry, such as mail trucks, delivery vehicles, buses, trains, other personal and industrial aerial vehicles, and water-based vehicles. It is important that there are well-trained engineers, software developers, designers, and technical maintenance experts to assist in the development and expansion of the vast infrastructure that will be required to maintain these vehicles. It is also important to understand that the A.I. controlling all the major functions of the vehicle, will also talk and communication with other aspects of a Smart City, such as the gas pump, the drive-through restaurant, or the car wash. These additions, will reshape how to design and think about spaces, as well as leisure time. As much innovation that has occurred in this space, there is always room for more. Next, let us explore the past, present, and future of A.I. & Robotics.
Exercises
What is your favorite car brand? Can you or your team conduct a Google search, to determine if your favorite automotive company is developing self-driving car technology?
How might your or your teams project make use of self-driving car technology? How might you integrate your Artificial Intelligence project with self-driving cars?
How might self-driving car technology benefit society? What might some drawbacks be? Here is more information on self-driving car technology.
What other applications could you create for Autonomous Vehicles? Explain.
Ean Mikale, J.D., is an eight-time author with 11 years of experience in the AI industry. He serves as the Principal Engineer of Infinite 8 Industries, Inc., and is the IEEE Chair of the Hybrid Quantum-inspired Internet Protocol Industry Connections Group. He has initiated and directed his companies 7-year Nvidia Inception and Metropolis Partnerships. Mikale has created dozens of AI Assistants, many of which are currently in production. His clientele includes Fortune 500 Companies, Big Three Consulting Firms, and leading World Governments. He is a former graduate of IBM's Global Entrepreneur Program, AWS for Startups, Oracle for Startups, and Accelerate with Google. Finally, he is the creator of the World's First Hybrid Quantum Internet Layer, InfiNET. As an Industry Expert, he has also led coursework at Institutions, such as Columbia and MIT. Follow him on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook: @eanmikale