Articles tagged with Automobiles
New research shows that a small percentage of self-driving cars can significantly impact road flow, eliminating phantom traffic jams and reducing fuel consumption by up to 40%. The study demonstrates the potential for autonomous vehicles to regulate traffic flow and improve efficiency.
Researchers found that drivers who were watching videos while the car was in autonomous mode responded more slowly and severely to an emergency. The study suggests that new ways of assessing driver safety will be needed as technology develops, including designing systems to improve driver response during system failures.
New research shows children's ability to cross roads without incident develops around age 14. Children under 12 often underestimate traffic gaps, leading to accidents, and lack fine motor skills to step into the street quickly, making it hard for them to gauge when it is safe to cross.
Researchers found that heavy drinkers developed behavioral tolerance to alcohol on simpler fine motor tasks, such as the Grooved Pegboard Test, but not on more complex tasks like the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Despite faster metabolism, heavy drinkers showed similar levels of impairment on these tasks compared to light drinkers.
Researchers equipped Google Street View cars with methane analyzers to track leaks in Boston, Indianapolis, and other cities. The study found that some cities release up to 25 times more methane per kilometer of road than others, highlighting the need for targeted repairs.
Researchers at Columbia University are developing virtual power conversion systems that use interchangeable converter modules and software to control the converter function, reducing size, cost, and increasing reliability. These systems could lead to 20-30% reductions in Volt-Ampere rating for electric vehicle drivetrains.
Researcher Neil Johnson studied sub-second delays in electronic stock exchange data, finding that natural delays already exist in these systems, which can become correlated and cause unexpected behaviors. Introducing more delays could be disastrous, as humans wouldn't be able to respond quickly enough.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology discovered hydraulic forces aid heart filling. The study suggests reducing atrium size can improve heart function in patients with heart failure.
A new UBC study suggests that renting out vacant residential parking stalls in Vancouver's West End could provide enough space for all residents and visitors. The researchers found that 46 properties have over 3,700 unused stalls, which could be converted into short-term parking with minimal modifications.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new type of lithium-ion battery that is safer, faster-charging and longer-lasting than existing batteries. The all-solid-state battery cells use glass electrolytes instead of liquid ones, eliminating the risk of dendrites and explosions.
Intentional microsecond delays were introduced into the US's fastest financial network, resulting in significant trading behavior changes. Policy-makers are seeking to better understand these effects before widespread adoption.
Researchers at NYU Tandon are developing a deep learning system that enables self-driving cars to navigate and respond to changing road conditions. The system uses data from onboard sensors and information from HERE HD Live Map, a cloud-based service for automated driving.
A decline in automobile travel from 2003-2014 showed a significant reduction in car crash deaths, particularly among young men. Physical activity levels remained unchanged during this period.
Researchers propose creating a phased regulatory system for autonomous vehicles, mirroring the drug approval process to ensure safety and reliability. This approach would involve pre-clinical trials, in-human studies, and monitored testing before easing restrictions.
Researchers at the University of Bristol propose a cost-effective solution for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to share high-quality data with drivers in emergency situations. The single frequency network (SFN) approach could improve road safety by providing reliable information, reducing transmission power by up to 20 times.
Researchers found that users who are actively shopping in a category are more likely to search for any brand, but as users move from recognition to purchase intent, they become increasingly more likely to search for the specific brand. Brand owners are also more likely to search for their brand, even when not actively shopping.
A new study proposes a unified strategy for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFC) to achieve performance parity and reduce costs. The research targets metal-free catalysts, which are more cost-effective than traditional platinum-based ones.
Researchers found that drivers experience a period of adjustment when transitioning from autonomous to manual driving, affecting steering performance. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging this physical change and its potential impact on driving conditions.
Research suggests that public acceptance of self-driving cars is lower than expected, with many people preferring a more realistic portrayal of the technology. The study found that participants who read an idealized description of self-driving car ownership were more accepting than those who read a more realistic scenario.
Researchers at Saarland University and CISPA create 'vatiCAN' software to secure CAN bus communications in vehicles. The software authenticates messages, preventing hackers from masquerading as legitimate devices or forging information.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that men are better at identifying faces on toy Transformers than women. The study, which surveyed people's childhood play experiences with Barbie and Transformers, suggests that the type of face individuals encounter as children affects their adult facial recognition abilities.
Researchers at Disney Research developed an AI-based system that can automatically learn the association between images and sounds, with applications in film sound effects and aiding visually impaired individuals. The system uses video data to filter out uncorrelated sounds and learns which sounds are associated with an image.
A study in China found that monthly income, the number of cars a family owns, sustainability, and vehicle comfort are the most influential factors behind buyers' decisions to purchase electric vehicles. The researchers also discovered that age, marital status, and city of residence play a role in consumers' decision-making process.
Researchers at MIT have demonstrated a comprehensive autonomous mobility system using driverless cars, golf carts, and scooters, all controlled by the same software. The system's modular design allows for easy deployment in new contexts and enables seamless information transfer between vehicles, enhancing overall performance.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Graz successfully drove single-molecule nanoroadsters using light, demonstrating a new method for propulsion. The vehicles, made of 112 atoms, reached a top speed of 23 nanometers per hour and showed wavelength sensitivity.
The roadmap advocates for research efforts in human-robot interaction to develop intelligent machines that empower people to stay in their homes as they age. It also highlights the need for flexible robotics systems to accommodate customization in manufacturing and other areas.
Researchers found that underground car parks can act as 'lungs of the city', reducing particulate matter concentrations outside the car parks by up to 50%. The study suggests that implementing air purification systems in parking garages can improve air quality in urban areas.
A new study suggests that autonomous vehicles could facilitate pedestrian-oriented urban neighborhoods, as pedestrians can act unpredictably and force self-driving cars to stop. However, the adoption of autonomous vehicles may be hampered by their strategic disadvantage in urban traffic.
A new Lancet series explores the connections between urban design, transportation, and health, suggesting eight major interventions to create healthier cities. The research highlights the need to shift from private car use to cycling and walking to reduce environmental and social risk factors.
A team of researchers at Georgia Tech has developed new algorithms that allow any number of robots to move within inches of each other without colliding. This breakthrough enables robots to work together effectively in crowded spaces, such as lab floors and airspace, with minimal safety concerns.
Researchers exploring effects of automation on vehicle safety, driver behavior, and public acceptance. Presentations cover topics such as ethical concerns, system breakdowns, and self-driving cars.
A recent study found that MirrorLink, a system allowing vehicles to communicate with smartphones, has significant security vulnerabilities. Hackers can exploit these weaknesses to control safety-critical vehicle components, posing a risk to driver safety and security.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a device that can control the momentum of electrons in graphene, opening up new possibilities for low-power electronics. The device uses bilayer graphene and can create metallic wires with colored electrons that travel unhindered along the wires with minimal resistance.
A recent study demonstrates the potential of deep reinforcement learning in optimizing traffic signal timing, reducing average delay by 14% and vehicle waiting time by 13 seconds.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified the genetic profile of the toughest part of the flax plant's stem, which is prone to causing damage to farm equipment. This breakthrough could lead to the development of tougher flax straw for use in paper and plastics production.
Researchers have developed a flexible electronic skin patch that can detect blood-alcohol levels from sweat, offering a non-invasive and fast solution for measuring BAC. The patch uses three rapid steps to induce sweat, detect alcohol content, and transmit data wirelessly.
A new study reveals that investments in both function and ergonomics result in higher market share, whereas investments in both function and form impose a share penalty. Older vehicles with higher form design hold their market-share value better than older vehicles with higher functional or ergonomic designs.
Experts say psychology is key to understanding road safety and autonomous vehicle success. The event aims to reduce road trauma by sharing the latest in road safety research.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that compromise is less likely to occur when two men make decisions together, whereas it's a common practice among female-female and mixed-gender pairs. Men tend to prefer extreme options to prove their masculinity, while women act more pragmatically and choose the middle ...
UMass Amherst researchers develop a new framework for managing control transfer between humans and autonomous systems, enabling safe semi-autonomous vehicles. The approach leverages human strengths while capitalizing on machine capabilities.
A study published in mSystems journal found that Boston's subway system is heavily colonized by microbes from human skin, with surface type being the major driver of variation. The majority of microbes found were from normal human skin and were harmless, but some samples showed low levels of gut and oral microbes.
A study in the Journal of Transport & Health found that car ownership reduces exercise during travel, while bike ownership promotes it. Londoners who mainly walk or cycle for their trips tend to be more active.
A recent study by MIT researchers found that the public takes a utilitarian approach to autonomous vehicle safety, minimizing casualties in extreme situations but prioritizing personal safety. This 'social dilemma' may lead to conditions becoming less safe for everyone as individuals act in their own self-interest.
A new survey reveals public inconsistencies in prioritizing individual and collective safety in autonomous cars. Participants preferred self-protective vehicles over utilitarian ones, despite valuing the greater good. The findings highlight the need for regulation and challenge programmers to balance ethics and AI development.
A study by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business reveals how social comparison preferences and conspicuous conservation shape product innovation, leading to eco-friendly developments. The research found that companies can tap into these consumer behaviors to enhance their products' desirability and sustainability.
People driving over an hour a day are 2.3kg heavier and 1.5cm wider around the waist compared to those who drive less frequently. Men are more likely to experience weight gain due to prolonged car travel, according to research by Australian Catholic University.
Researchers at Rice University tested nanocars in ambient conditions, finding they stuck to surfaces due to hydrophobicity. The vehicles slowed down as molecules absorbed from the air created obstacles that acted like sticky foam, eventually trapping them.
A novel technique called model predictive path integral control (MPPI) helps autonomous vehicles maintain stability at the edge of handling limits. By leveraging advanced algorithms and onboard computing, MPPI enables vehicles to optimize their trajectories in real-time, reducing the risk of accidents on hazardous roads.
Dr. Jayne Weiss, an LSU Health New Orleans ophthalmologist, recommends using UV protection not just outdoors but also inside cars to prevent cataracts and skin cancer. She cites studies showing a 93% reduction in cell death when UV exposure is filtered through UV-absorbing auto glass.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that automobile side windows have low levels of ultraviolet A (UV-A) light protection, with an average blockage rate of 71 percent. This is lower than the 96 percent blockage rate for front windshields, potentially contributing to increased rates of cataract and left-sided facial skin cancer.
A study by the University of Houston found that drivers' natural ability to correct themselves while driving is more effective than previously thought. When drivers are distracted or upset, their brain's automatic error correction system helps them stay on course, but texting significantly disrupts this process.
Researchers developed a system called the Knowledge Accelerator, which uses machine learning to guide non-experts in producing coherent reports. The system was tested on 11 questions and found to outperform comparison Web pages, including top Google results.
A new study found that nearly all small children riding in taxis lack proper car safety seats, putting them at risk of serious injury or death. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends secure child restraint systems for young children in motor vehicles.
Researchers from KU Leuven have developed machines that can learn to tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar objects, such as a blurred shape on the road. This technology has the potential to improve self-driving car safety by allowing machines to make more reasonable decisions in new situations.
A recent study found that drivers who felt a strong social connection with their car's virtual voice crashed more during a simulator test. The researchers suggest that the development of autonomous and quasi-autonomous cars should consider the impact of voices on driver safety.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford and the University of Toronto has found that upgrading roads and joining them to the city grid can dramatically increase land and property prices, leading to improved financial security for poor households. This infrastructure project in the Mexican city of Acayucan resulted in a 7...
A statistical analysis by the University of Sheffield ranks Juan Manuel Fangio as the greatest Formula One driver in history, with teams playing a significant role in success. The study found that teams are around six times more important to success than individual drivers.
Research from Oregon State University shows that toddlers with mobility disabilities spend less time engaging in play and physical activity compared to their peers. Modified ride-on toy cars can help increase interaction with peers and objects, providing essential developmental benefits.
Researchers argue that Wendell Scott's racing career was a form of political practice for moving freely in the segregated South. The study highlights the struggle for equal rights and access to transportation today, particularly for people of color.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers suggests that high school age teens' decisions to begin driving when they're of age are influenced by infrastructure and land use patterns in their community. The study found that teens from suburban areas with limited public transportation options obtained their driver's license earlier...