Articles tagged with Automobiles
A University of Michigan study found that self-driving cars could partially or completely offset energy savings due to induced driving miles. The researchers estimated that a 38% reduction in perceived travel time cost would eliminate fuel savings, suggesting the possibility of 'backfire' and net increases in energy consumption.
A study published in Accident Analysis and Prevention found that marked on-road bicycle lanes and parked cars do not provide enough space for safe passing. The research, which analyzed over 18,000 vehicle passing events, suggests that a single stripe of paint is insufficient to protect cyclists.
A new study assesses the environmental sustainability impacts of flying cars and finds that they could outperform ground-based cars for longer trips. For trips over 100 kilometers, fully loaded VTOLs carrying a pilot and three passengers had lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles.
A new study from Michigan State University has dispelled the myth that women are less fit than men behind the wheel. Despite natural hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle, female drivers react and respond similarly to male counterparts on the race track.
A new study published in Seismological Research Letters found that California's current 100-year earthquake hiatus is highly unlikely, occurring at a 0.3% chance over the past 1000 years. The researchers analyzed long paleoseismic records and concluded that the gap isn't a statistical fluke, but rather an exceptional event.
A new Tel Aviv University study demonstrates improved radar detection using low-bandwidth technology, with applications in the automotive industry and beyond. The research, published in Nature Communications, uses a partially coherent approach to achieve high-range resolution without broadband signals.
A new study warns London cyclists of high black carbon levels on main routes during evening commutes, recommending alternative routes with green infrastructure. The research found that cyclists exposed to the dirtiest air suffered twice as much pollution as those taking a cleaner route.
A new mathematical method developed by USC researchers can identify anomalies in self-driving cars' perception algorithms before they hit the road, improving safety. The method uses 'sanity conditions' to test machine learning tools and can be used to pinpoint specific problems and retrain the algorithms for faster error detection.
A new neural network system developed by Stanford researchers enables autonomous cars to learn from past driving experiences and adapt to unknown conditions. The system performed similarly well as an experienced racecar driver in high-friction and low-friction scenarios, showing promise for improved safety.
A new simulation system, AADS, combines photos, videos, and real-world trajectory data to create a more realistic autonomous driving environment. This allows for safer testing of self-driving vehicles in the lab before hitting the roads.
A research team at the University of Illinois developed a Stackelberg feedback solution to counter jamming signals, enabling more reliable communication in critical systems. The approach involves coordinated actions among sensor, encoder, and decoder units to minimize errors caused by jamming.
A study found that people who use ride-hailing are willing to pay more to avoid driving, including parking stress, which could lead cities to reconsider parking infrastructure. Researchers suggest cities should allocate curb space for walking, biking, and transit, and monetize car trips to meet sustainable goals.
A new technology accelerates the science of deceleration by designing self-lubricating brakes that prevent wear-and-tear and have better frictional properties than current market brakes. The breakthrough could lead to smaller, more efficient, and cost-effective brake pads for cars and trains.
In a study published in Journal of Memory and Language, researchers found that people actively track the occurrence of 'uh' in spoken communication to predict upcoming low-frequency words. Participants adjusted their predictions when listening to atypical talkers, suggesting distributional learning of disfluency cues.
Researchers at Georgia Tech and Multiscale Systems Inc. used percolation theory to model how a large-scale hack on Internet-connected cars would affect traffic in Manhattan. A small-scale hack affecting only 10% of vehicles could cause citywide gridlock, while using multiple networks for connected vehicles decreases the risk.
A new study finds that shark attack rates have doubled over the past 20 years in highly populated regions like the US East Coast and Southern Australia. However, the overall risk of a shark attack is still extremely low, with one in several million chances
University of Michigan researchers develop a novel approach to teaching self-driving cars to recognize and predict pedestrian movements. They achieve this by analyzing humans' gait, body symmetry, and foot placement using cameras, LiDAR, and GPS data. The system can predict poses and future locations for one or several pedestrians up t...
Engineers at UCLA develop a method to weld the challenging AA 7075 aluminum alloy using titanium carbide nanoparticles, achieving tensile strength comparable to steel. This breakthrough may enable wider adoption of the alloy in mass-produced products.
Research from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that drivers using hands-free electronic devices are less likely to get into a crash. The study analyzed data from over 3,400 drivers and found that hands-free cell phone use was associated with a lower crash rate in some cases.
Research found that users of usage-based insurance (UBI) improve their driving safety while enrolled, allowing them to control premium costs. UBI also shows promise in reducing hard braking incidents by up to 21% after six months.
A Dartmouth study highlights the need for transparency in self-driving car geospatial data, which can be used to inform decisions on traffic management, urban planning and public projects. Hacking, open source design and legislation are proposed avenues to address concerns over privacy and security.
Self-driving cars will slow traffic by cruising at low speeds to avoid high downtown parking fees. Cities face challenges regulating autonomous vehicles, which can create havoc if not properly managed. Congestion pricing is proposed as a solution to reduce congestion and pollution.
Researchers at the University of Kansas are working on a new lithium-oxygen battery technology that promises higher energy storage capacity and longer-lasting performance. The goal is to overcome current limitations, such as slow discharge rates, and develop practical applications for consumer electronics and electric vehicles.
Developed with NSF funding, SETA (Scalable Event Trend Analytics) is an open-source software that analyzes high-volume data streams in real time to provide actionable insights. It helps organizations make data-driven decisions quickly, enabling applications like autonomous vehicle networks and healthcare.
A novel model developed by MIT and Microsoft researchers identifies instances where autonomous systems learn from examples that don't match the real world, leading to dangerous errors. The model uses human feedback to pinpoint situations where more information is needed to act correctly.
Using deep convolutional neural networks, Yale researchers predicted where people's eyes will look when viewing complex natural scenes. This advance in understanding the human visual system has numerous applications, including improving artificial intelligence efforts such as driverless car development.
A new study by Indiana University scientists found toxic flame retardants in newly manufactured children's car seats, posing risks to children's health. The researchers detected high levels of emerging flame retardant chemicals, including cyclic phosphonate esters and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
A study from the University of Waterloo found that urban planning decisions in post-WWII Canada contributed to the rise of right-wing populism by promoting automobile dependency and suburban sprawl. This normalization of unsustainable lifestyles led to a sense of resistance to change, particularly among suburban voters.
The study explores the potential impact of autonomous vehicles on urban tourism, highlighting both benefits such as reduced traffic congestion and improved foreign car hire processes, as well as concerns over job losses and increased urban sprawl. As AVs become mainstream, urban attractions may be transformed, and new industries like A...
Researchers found that rats possess the capacity for selective amnesia, using a similar brain mechanism as humans. By actively recalling memories, rats can selectively forget distracting experiences, improving memory efficiency but potentially leading to problems like witness forgetting in police interviews.
Researchers will develop and test a multi-interface in-vehicle environment to explore how technology can enable safe commutes that combine work with driving. The project aims to increase productivity, well-being, and profitability for workers and firms.
A new study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) analyzed child restraint laws nationwide and found that 34 states exempt taxis and for-hire vehicles from child restraint requirements. The study also revealed that up to half of parents report not providing appropriate child safety seats while riding in ride-share vehicles, ...
Researchers have developed algorithms that enable connected and automated vehicles to adjust to driving conditions with little input from drivers. This technology aims to improve coordination of traffic patterns, save fuel, and reduce crashes.
A massive global survey on autonomous vehicle ethics found that people generally prefer sparing human lives over animal lives and young people's lives. However, regional variations were observed, particularly in the eastern cluster of countries where preference for younger people was less pronounced.
A study found that people generally prefer self-driving cars to stay in their lane and perform an emergency stop, even if it means risking collision with pedestrians or bystanders. The research suggests that this default action is morally acceptable, even if it doesn't minimize expected loss.
A novel motion-planning model combines a planning algorithm with a neural network to help robots determine how to reach a goal by exploring the environment and exploiting learned experiences. This allows robots to learn from past experiences and adapt to new situations, enabling them to navigate complex environments more efficiently.
A new study by Chalmers University of Technology reveals that studded winter tires have a significant negative impact on public health, costing between 60 and 770 life-years. The study also found that the use of studded tires contributes to accidents and fatalities in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A study published in Transportation found that ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft contribute to increased vehicle miles traveled due to empty miles from drivers going without passengers. For every 100 miles carrying passengers, Uber and Lyft drivers travel an additional 69 miles without a passenger.
Researchers studied thermodynamics of small nanomachines and found that synchronizing their movements triggers significant synergy effects, leading to greater overall energy output. The findings could potentially be used to improve efficiency of any machine.
Researchers developed a new suite of tests to simulate scratching processes on automobile clearcoats, providing valuable data on vulnerability, fracture resistance, and resilience. The tests aim to create more scratch-resistant and resilient coatings that meet consumer and industrial demands.
A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that people who have slept for fewer than seven hours are more likely to be involved in and responsible for car crashes. The risk is particularly high for drivers who have slept less than four hours, with a 15.1 times higher odds of being involved in a crash
The article reveals how Japanese companies have mastered the production of high-quality synthetic suede for luxury cars, offering advantages over natural leather and suede. The development of this material has led to a boom in business for manufacturers, with increased demand prompting expansions and ramped-up production.
A UBC study analyzed pedestrian behavior at a busy intersection in Kamloops, B.C., finding that over a third of pedestrians were distracted by their cellphones. Distracted pedestrians had slower walking speeds, more unstable gait patterns, and took longer to cross the road, increasing the risk of conflicts with vehicles.
A KAIST team introduced Agile 3D Sketching with Air Scaffolding, combining hand motions and pen-based sketching to create 3D shapes. The technique allows designers to reduce time while enhancing accuracy in defining proportion and scale of products.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new type of battery that can store more energy in the same space, enabling longer-range driving. The breakthrough uses aggressive electrodes and a highly-fluorinated electrolyte to stabilize potentially dangerous materials.
A new study reveals that many drivers do not perceive texting and driving as dangerous, despite being six times more likely to be involved in a car crash. The study found that factors such as fear of missing out and separation anxiety contribute to this behavior.
A new study by UBC researchers reveals that urban greenways can significantly reduce daily car travel distances and resulting carbon emissions. Participants living within 300 meters of Vancouver's Comox-Helmcken Greenway showed an 18% decrease in car travel, while those farther away experienced increased motorized travel.
A simulation test suggests that the halo system may affect driver head position and motion, potentially compromising steering accuracy. Training and ergonomic adjustments may be necessary to mitigate this effect, particularly for less experienced drivers.
A recent study published in Risk Analysis found that the public expects self-driving vehicles (SDVs) to be four to five times as safe as human-driven vehicles. To be accepted, SDVs must reduce traffic fatalities by at least 75-80%.
Researchers at UTSA created an authorization framework for connected cars to prevent cyber attacks and unauthorized access to sensors and data. The framework provides a conceptual overview of various access control decision and enforcement points needed for dynamic interaction in smart car ecosystems.
A new study from Boston Medical Center and Boston University found that stronger alcohol policies significantly reduce the likelihood of alcohol-related car crashes, resulting in lower death rates. The research indicates that comprehensive policy approaches are needed nationwide to address this critical public health concern.
Researchers found that even parked in the shade, vehicles can become lethal to small children due to rapid temperature increases. The study highlights the importance of awareness and prevention of pediatric vehicular heatstroke.
Researchers found that car interiors can heat up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit and dashboards to 165 degrees Fahrenheit in approximately one hour, leading to potential fatal injuries for young children. The study highlights the importance of taking preventive measures to avoid such tragedies.
A new study found that even parked in the shade, vehicles can reach lethal temperatures for a child in under two hours. The research highlights the importance of awareness and prevention measures to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke.
Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm that uses a network-based approach to optimize taxi fleets in cities. The solution, dubbed the 'minimum fleet problem,' reduces the number of vehicles needed by 30% while maintaining service levels.
A new lane-change algorithm developed by MIT allows autonomous vehicles to model an entire range of driving styles, from conservative to aggressive, with safety guarantees. The system computes buffer zones on the fly and ensures collision avoidance within a given time frame.
A new £4.8 million engineering research programme, ACHILLES, will examine how to maintain and monitor linear infrastructure assets to improve resilience. The project involves experts from seven universities and aims to develop deterioration models and sensors for better maintenance and safety.
Novices organize mental models based on natural language connections, while journeymen rely on procedural connections. Expert mental models display abstract connections and subnetworks as they gain expertise. This study has potential applications for training programs and game design.
Researchers at MIT CSAIL have developed a new framework called MapLite that allows self-driving cars to navigate on unpaved country roads without detailed maps. The system combines GPS data with sensors to detect road conditions and drive autonomously, with promising results in testing.
A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that people are willing to sacrifice themselves for others, consider victim age, and swerve onto sidewalks to minimize lives lost, contradicting ethically acceptable behavior and political guidelines. Researchers aim to initiate discussions on how self-driving vehicles sho...