Articles tagged with Automobiles
A MIT-developed simulation system, VISTA, trains driverless cars to navigate worse-case scenarios, such as near-crash situations, in a photorealistic environment. This allows controllers to learn and recover from these situations before being deployed on real-world vehicles.
A new study finds that electric cars produce lower carbon emissions than petrol cars in 95% of the world, even when production and electricity generation are considered. The research suggests that even in regions with high fossil fuel usage, such as Poland, driving an electric car is better for the climate.
Researchers found that commercial fast-charging stations cause high temperatures and resistance damage to electric car batteries, leading to capacity loss and potential fires. The University of California, Riverside developed an adaptive fast-charging algorithm to mitigate this issue.
A team from Deakin University in Australia developed an improved sight-correcting system for self-driving vehicles. By watching human operators complete tasks, the vehicles can learn to make decisions based on visual information, reducing the need for extensive training data.
Scientists at the University of Chicago discovered that signals in the motor cortex act like a series of clutches when it comes to moving, and that these signals can be disrupted to slow the brain's initiation of movement. This finding has potential implications for treatments of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have developed a new optimization method for tracking self-driving car trajectories that reduces errors while keeping computation demands low. The method prioritizes passenger comfort, aiming to replicate human drivers' ability to balance speed, safety, and route choice.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that motor vehicles are the main cause of blocking access to other travelers on city streets, with a higher noncompliance rate (24.7%) compared to scooters and bikes (0.8%). The study suggests that cities should rethink their parking policies in response to the rise of technology-e...
A new UNLV study found that drivers of expensive cars are least likely to stop for crossing pedestrians. The cost of the car was a significant predictor of driver yielding, with motorists overall yielding less frequently for men and people of color.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that Cairo car drivers are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, particularly in cross-city routes. Drivers who leave their windows open can be exposed to 65% more PM10 and 48% more PM2.5 than those with windows closed and AC on.
A new UC Riverside study reveals that commuters exposed to a known carcinogen called TDCIPP for less than a week experience elevated levels of the chemical. The research found that the longer one commutes, the higher their exposure to TDCIPP.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found a 6% increase in fatal car crashes during the workweek following daylight saving time. The risk is higher for those living on the western edge of their time zone, where sleep deprivation and darkness can contribute to crashes.
A recent study found a six percent increase in fatal traffic accidents in the week following the DST transition each spring, resulting in over 28 fatalities potentially prevented annually. The risk is particularly pronounced in the morning hours and locations further west within a time zone.
The study found that autonomous vehicles can reduce road accidents and promote physical activity, but the impact depends on factors like technology implementation and fuel use. If implemented correctly, autonomous vehicles could have a significant positive impact on public health, especially if used in electric and shared formats.
A study by University of Helsinki professor Jan-Erik Lönnqvist found that self-centred men with disagreeable personality traits are more likely to own high-status cars and break traffic regulations. Conscientious individuals, on the other hand, also prefer high-status cars due to their desire for reliability and quality image.
Researchers at Texas AÎM University found that shifting focus from pedestrian to driver language reduces victim-blaming and increases perceived blame for drivers. This shift can change public perceptions of road safety, according to the study.
A new study found that people in Eastern countries are less likely to support sacrificing someone to save more lives, highlighting the importance of considering local ethics in AI development. The 'Trolley Dilemma' thought experiment showed a significant difference in willingness to sacrifice one person versus five.
Researchers developed a new laser-based system that can image around corners in real time, enabling applications such as detecting hazards or pedestrians in self-driving cars. The system uses deep learning to reconstruct hidden objects at high resolutions and speeds.
A study found that only a slight increase in walking occurred, while cycling rates remained stagnant, with significant disparities by education level and demographics. The study calls for greater investment in safe bike lanes, sidewalks, and education programs to promote walking and cycling among all age groups.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering and Law School develop a joint fault-based liability rule using game theory to regulate self-driving car manufacturers and human drivers. They find that an optimally designed liability policy is critical to prevent moral hazard and improve traffic safety.
The study introduces a universal detection method utilizing thermal radiation's intrinsic super-linearity for high-resolution imaging of objects at all scales. This technique enables arbitrarily cranked-up super-resolution factor and applications in various fields such as thermal imaging, self-driving cars, and stealth object detection.
A US study of physician driving behaviors reveals that psychiatrists are most likely to be fined for extreme speeding, while cardiologists are more likely to drive luxury cars. The findings contradict the theory that certain specialties receive preferential treatment from law enforcement.
New research from Michigan State University reveals cracks in the current system leading to potential cyber risks in smart vehicles. The study recommends improving safety through better resources and policies to protect users, vehicles, and customers.
A new study developed a model to control traffic and intersections for autonomous vehicles, increasing road capacity by up to 138%. The researchers' approach utilizes smart infrastructure and real-time communication between cars to optimize traffic flow.
Researchers developed graphene-integrated composites to improve strength and properties of fibre-reinforced composites. These materials can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and lightning strikes, making them suitable for aerospace and automotive industries.
Researchers found that brand is the biggest influence on bread buying behavior, followed by type of wheat and value considerations. Only 1% of surveyed consumers regularly purchase gluten-free bread due to perceived lack of value.
A study by Hiroshima University and Nagoya Institute of Technology found that arm positions can affect how much force is perceived when steering a car. The researchers used weighted steering wheels with different angles to measure participants' force perceptions, finding biases at specific angles.
A team of scientists at ETH Zurich has developed a novel electro-opto-mechanical switch that can assess surroundings quickly and recognize people and obstacles. The switch uses plasmonics technology, which enables fast and compact switching with low losses.
A new study created three games for level three and higher semi-autonomous vehicles, which can play with other players nearby. The researchers evaluated the games using a virtual reality driving simulator and participant feedback, finding that participants rated the games highly in immersion and enjoyed playing with strangers.
Researchers at KAIST developed AI technology that automatically detects safe moments for AI agents to provide conversation services to drivers. The technology was tested on a real-world driving dataset and demonstrated an accuracy of 87% in determining opportune moments for driver interruption.
Scientists at UVA have developed a new method to determine the genetic causes of diseases by analyzing the effects of genes on proteins. The technique, using plant extracts, enables researchers to sort immediate from complex reactions, revolutionizing gene function study.
Researchers argue that using cooperative game theory to model human-drone interactions can lead to better steering angle control and safer lane-change maneuvers. By taking into account human drivers' real-life experience, automated steering technology can achieve better shared control.
Researchers have developed a new model to help autonomous vehicles navigate intersections with obstructed views, reducing the risk of collisions. The model estimates risks based on factors like sensor noise, driver awareness, and occlusions.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin and University of Minnesota debunked the myth of a correlation between Super Bowls and sex trafficking, citing empirical evidence that shows no causal link. A study found that online ads for sex may temporarily increase during large public events, but this is not the same as trafficking.
Researchers develop self-heating battery to charge EVs in 10 minutes for 200-300 mile range, maintaining 2,500 cycles or half a million miles. Lithium plating reduces cell capacity and causes electrical spikes.
Scientists at the University of Bonn develop an algorithm that completes and interprets LiDAR scans to enable self-driving cars to anticipate potential hazards. The system uses a dataset of superimposed point clouds to improve scene understanding, which can lead to significant improvements in autonomous driving safety.
A new MIT system uses computer-vision techniques to detect and classify subtle changes in shadows on the ground, enabling autonomous vehicles to quickly avoid collisions with other objects. The system outperforms traditional LiDAR technology by more than half a second in real-world scenarios.
The researchers have developed a platform that enables companies to quickly address safety concerns in autonomous vehicles through software and hardware advances. They analyzed 144 AVs driving over 1,116,605 miles and found that human-driven cars were up to 4000 times less likely than AVs to have an accident.
New research from the University of Adelaide predicts that driverless cars could increase traffic congestion in Australia's City of Adelaide. The study, which surveyed over 500 commuters, found that autonomous vehicles may lead to an adverse impact on public transport, causing peak period vehicle flows to rise.
Researchers from Saarland University developed a method to calculate runtime guarantees for embedded software, enabling safety in critical systems. Their work has been used by Airbus to certify the control software of its aircraft, leading to successful landings and certifications.
Researchers found French drivers were more keen on automated cars, while Australian drivers were concerned about safety and legal liability. QUT's studies highlight the need to understand driver perceptions and intentions for future development of automated vehicles.
A $1.5 million grant is funding a project to build research infrastructure for autonomous vehicle safety, using one-tenth-scale cars that are less expensive and safer than full-scale vehicles.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that drivers often forget seeing approaching motorcycles, leading to fatal crashes. In experiments using a driving simulator, drivers failed to recall critical approaching vehicles on up to 15% of occasions.
A study by the University of Washington found that Americans value their commute time at $25 per hour when driving themselves, compared to $21 per hour for ride-hailing services. However, when driverless cars were considered, respondents preferred driving themselves due to increased perceived costs.
Researchers develop a model to control empty car flow in geographic locations to optimize system-wide functionality, directing cars to different locations instead of waiting at the same spot. The algorithm calculates availability of empty cars when requested and finds new passengers quickly at destinations.
A new retroreflective material can create stable, changing colors when viewed from different angles at night. This technology has the potential to enhance safety by grabbing driver attention during nighttime traffic.
Researchers simulate how hackers could randomly strand internet-connected cars to cause widespread traffic gridlock. Even with conservative estimates, stalling 20% of cars during rush hour could freeze traffic solid and debilitate emergency vehicles.
A recent study found that incorporating physical activity into daily life through walking and cycling can significantly improve population health. The research estimates health gains ranging from 1.61 to 25.43 QALYs per 1000 people, with healthcare cost savings up to $2.1 billion over the remaining lifespan.
Women wearing seatbelts are significantly more likely to suffer injury in frontal car crashes, with a 73% greater risk compared to men. Newer automobiles have decreased injury risks for various body regions, including skull fractures and abdominal injuries.
Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a new predictive model for growth that challenges traditional models of product adoption. The study found that substitutive products exhibit power law growths, which are slower than exponential after an initial flash of excitement.
Research found that older drivers took longer to regain control of an automated car and exhibited worse takeover quality in bad weather. However, most were positive towards automated vehicles, wanting to retain some control and regular updates.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identified a pathway called LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO) that clears β-amyloid protein, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The discovery may lead to strategies for treating neurodegenerative disorders and malignant brain tumors.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a new system that combines demonstrations and user preference surveys to set goals for autonomous systems, achieving better results in simulations and real-world experiments. The system improved upon previous methods, reducing the time required to generate instructions by 15-50 times.
Researchers at MIT develop a new algorithm that can accurately pick out an object, such as a small animal, in a dense cloud of dots within seconds. The technique prunes away outliers quickly, even for increasingly dense clouds, making it suitable for applications like driverless cars and robotic assistants.
The study reveals that self-driving cars will collect highly contextual data on passengers' habits, routines, movements, and preferences. This data can be monetized by companies to target customers through personalized advertising and marketing.
A team of researchers developed a new technique using X-ray technology to map out damage in lithium-ion batteries. They created the most comprehensive view yet of battery electrodes, which are prone to degradation from repeated charging. The study could lead to more reliable and longer-lasting batteries for electric cars and smartphones.
Scientists from NUST MISIS developed a new strong Al-Ni-La composite material that combines flexibility, strength, and lightness. The material uses ultrafine structure to form a reinforcing structure, making it more efficient than traditional aluminum-based composites.
A team of MIT researchers has developed a system that enables driverless cars to navigate through new, complex environments using only simple maps and visual data. The system learns to mimic human drivers' steering patterns and adapt to new roads and obstacles, making it more robust for autonomous navigation.
Researchers from TU Berlin and Charité investigate how motion sickness affects automated driving, with a focus on alleviating discomfort. Over 40% of respondents experienced symptoms during car rides, highlighting the need for technical measures to reduce kinetosis.
Researchers developed a new cognitive training game to improve road safety among elderly drivers, CTCD showed improved car driving skills and cognitive functions in older adults after six weeks of play.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge programmed a fleet of miniature robotic cars to demonstrate how autonomous vehicles can communicate with each other and improve safety. In experiments, cooperative driving improved traffic flow by 35%, while aggressive driving increased this improvement to 45%.