Researchers developed a haptic steering wheel that forewarns drivers of autonomous maneuvers, improving driving performance and trust. The system, tested in a simulation, showed drivers drove better when negotiating with the automated system through haptic feedback.
Cing-Dao Kan, Director of the Center for Collision Safety and Analysis, is leading a project to develop anti-ram barriers to protect against vehicular bomb threats. The funding, provided by the Federal Highway Administration, will be used for barrier development and testing from July 2026 to July 2028.
Researchers found that composite metal foam (CMF) can absorb more energy during high-velocity impacts, reducing crash severity and improving driver and passenger safety. CMF outperformed conventional front rail designs, increasing safety limits by up to 40% and reducing maximum deceleration by 38%.
A new method, called CW-Net, translates the reasoning process of an autonomous vehicle's AI system into understandable concepts that explain its behavior. CW-Net explains the decisions of machine learning-based planners using concepts like
Engineers at Texas A&M University, NASA, and Purdue University create algorithms for managing spacecraft traffic around Gateway, a lunar spaceport. The system balances fuel efficiency and operational demands to reduce the risk of collisions during space missions.
A University of Houston study found that strategic investments in smaller and midsize cities can yield more new riders per dollar than larger metropolitan areas. Smaller systems may have more room to attract new riders due to limited practical transportation options before.
Researchers developed a method to modify vehicle sounds using auditory augmented reality, which can draw pedestrian attention without loud warnings. By artificially increasing the frequency of approaching vehicle sounds, participants judged the vehicle as moving faster and closer.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University and Oxford Saïd Business School found that the entry of ride-hailing platforms drove measurable increases in economic output and intermittent employment. Regional GDP per capita increased, and the number of seasonal, temporary, or intermittent jobs rose after Uber and Lyft entered the region.
Researchers developed an AI that navigates ships using human-like decision-making, handling complex situations such as narrow channels and multiple vessels. The AI achieved compliance with maritime traffic rules and demonstrated unexpected behavior like local navigation customs.
A new study suggests that future mobility infrastructure can be designed to minimize resource use and carbon emissions. By combining high-resolution global infrastructure mapping with integrated assessment frameworks, researchers found that optimizing infrastructure and production technologies can cut embodied emissions by up to 63%. T...
Global road injury rates declined by 38.3% for new cases and 32.3% for deaths between 1990 and 2023, but progress was uneven across income groups. Low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden, with nearly six times higher mortality rates than high-income countries.
A European energy system model determines that a uniform benchmark for vehicle charging infrastructure is not optimal, as the cost-optimal level varies by country. Customized targets for EU member states can unlock benefits through smart charging technologies like V1G and V2G.
A PolyU project has developed an intelligent portable traffic light system to address bottlenecks during roadworks on narrow streets in Hong Kong. The system uses advanced sensing technologies and adaptive algorithms to dynamically adjust signal timings, reducing traffic queues and preventing gridlock.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers received five awards for their work on commercial vehicle operations, freight corridors, and integrated energy systems. ORNL's research also focuses on fuel economy guides, high-performance steel alloys, and computational tools for welding and manufacturing.
A University of Houston engineer developed a real-time safety system for quadrotor drones that can prevent accidents caused by unexpected events. The new technology uses a 'safety supervisor' module to monitor the drone's tilt and position in real time, ensuring it stays within safety limits.
The UMA solution proposes a distributed intelligence system to monitor and analyze charging station status in real-time, detecting anomalies and providing situational awareness. This approach enhances the security and resilience of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Researchers at King's College London developed a new algorithm that can automatically explain why some self-driving cars crash. The approach analyzes past events to identify the root cause of failures in complex and rare cases.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute develop a GaN-based power electronics module for 800V bidirectional direct current charging systems. The module enables flexible and efficient charging with improved compactness and reduced costs.
A team of researchers developed a method for creating realistic virtual tomato farms that automatically generate data for training agricultural AI systems. The approach uses advanced reconstruction methods and Unreal Engine 5 software to reproduce lighting, textures, and geometry, resulting in highly accurate object detection models.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are designing how humans will build and survive on the moon, focusing on sustainable construction using lunar regolith. The institution's efforts aim to reduce costs associated with shipping materials to the moon, making it possible to produce rocket propellant locally.
A new approach enables computers and machines to capture images at higher resolution and faster speed, making it impervious to reflective surfaces. The technology uses a virtual screen created by repurposing the surroundings of specular objects.
A Princeton study projects persistent shortfalls in critical EV battery materials if domestic production expansion, demand-side strategies, and international sourcing are not aligned. Domestic expansion can meet projected demand for some key materials, but significant uncertainties remain.
Researchers at TUM have developed a sorting process to extract recyclable plastics from end-of-life vehicle residues, producing materials that can be reused in new vehicles. The process shows promise in meeting EU quotas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that electric vehicles generate less greenhouse gas emissions and do not cost more than comparable gas-powered vehicles for most US drivers. The analysis considers individual driving patterns, meteorological data, and fuel prices to provide a comprehensive picture of emissions and costs.
A recent study has developed an analytical model of downburst wind fields, which reproduces key observable features while adhering to fundamental mechanical principles. The model proposes a framework for assessing train overturning due to downbursts, with high train speeds identified as the most significant contributor to increased risk.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers highlights the role of urban planning in increasing pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in the US. The study reveals that everyday destinations like grocery stores and pharmacies along busy roads significantly increase risk of serious injury or death.
A new study analyzing nearly 100 travellers' diaries reveals that turnpiking improved road conditions, reducing danger and speeding up journeys. The toll-funded system made a major contribution to the Industrial Revolution by reducing freight rates and enabling faster stagecoach travel.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new AI-powered snake-like robot that optimizes its movement using deep reinforcement learning. The robot's 'rolling motion' achieves twice the travel speed per unit of power consumption compared to traditional slithering motion, making it more efficient on flat surfaces.
A new study finds that aggressive policy action and cost reductions can accelerate the global shift to electric vehicles, reducing energy use and carbon emissions. The study suggests a uniform 20% reduction in non-energy costs could dramatically increase EV adoption rates, with market share rising from 25-50% to 70-85% globally by 2035.
A new study by MIT researchers provides a high-resolution picture of auto emissions in NYC, allowing for more effective transportation and decarbonization policies. The method produces detailed data that bridges the gap between citywide emissions inventories and individual vehicle analyses.
Researchers developed a smart window that uses electromagnetic Weber beams to eliminate blind zones in in-vehicle communications. The system demonstrates significant improvements in 5G signal power, enabling real-time transmissions of high-fidelity images.
Researchers developed an accurate detection approach for lithium plating in lithium-ion capacitors, enabling safe exploitation of their full potential. The study reveals that lithium plating initiates at a charging rate of 20 C and can be reversed under certain conditions, but above 50 C, irreversible 'dead' lithium accumulates.
A new study uses swarm intelligence to optimize the integration of distributed generation and fast Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in power distribution networks. The approach reduces active power losses by up to 68% and enhances voltage profiles across the network.
A new fusion model combining CNN, GRU, and PF techniques achieves remarkable improvements in lithium-ion battery RUL prediction accuracy. This enhances safety and longevity in electric vehicles and grid applications.
Researchers have developed an 'ECI patch' that reads brain signals and controls cars with 93.5% accuracy. The patch, powered by ultra-thin sheets called MXene, detects fatigue and mental states without causing skin irritation.
The study analyzed 430 test runs in Mannheim and Friedrichshafen, finding that autonomous shuttles can make everyday trips easier, replacing car trips. Users are open to technology as long as they feel safe, and responsibilities need to be clearly defined for reliable operation.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
Researchers at IMDEA Networks Institute discovered that tire pressure sensors in modern cars can be used to track vehicles and infer movement patterns. The study highlights the need for stronger security measures in future vehicle sensor systems.
The article highlights the psychological demands of self-driving cars on human brains, citing Professor McLeod's research and personal experience. He emphasizes the need for clearer interfaces, simulation-based training, and updated driving tests to address these challenges and ensure safe automation uptake across society.
NTU Singapore has unveiled its first locally designed and built full-sized eVTOL aircraft technology demonstrator, combining aerodynamic efficiency with hovering capability. The aircraft was developed over three years by researchers and engineers, powered by NTU-designed electric motors and featuring eight lift rotors.
LIST's patented infrared welding process enables rapid assembly of thick carbon-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic components, reducing weight, costs and environmental impact. The innovation is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5 tonnes per wing rib.
The Advanced Driving Simulation Center enables researchers to realistically test and optimize vehicles, chassis, and advanced driver assistance systems. The simulator's high bandwidth generates fine vibrations, crucial for optimizing electric vehicle comfort.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a pair of sensors that can detect ice and freezing rain, alerting pilots to potential hazards and reducing crashes. The sensors use microwaves and lasers to detect ice on planes and roads, potentially saving lives by slowing down drivers and preventing accidents.
A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.
Researchers developed a self-healing composite that can repair itself over 1,000 times and extend the lifetime of conventional fiber-reinforced composite materials by centuries. The material targets interlaminar delamination, which occurs when cracks cause fiber layers to separate from the matrix.
A simulation study forecasted potential injury reductions in the US with AV adoption, suggesting a possible decrease in road traffic injuries. However, predicted confidence intervals remain broad, and no scenario reduced injuries outside of these bounds.
A new method analyzes nearby vehicle motion to estimate road's trajectory and vanishing point, capturing distant road areas and enhancing safety. The system outperformed conventional and deep learning-based techniques in tests under day and night conditions, reducing intersection-related accidents.
A breakthrough AI system called OmniPredict can predict human pedestrian behaviors with unprecedented accuracy, revolutionizing self-driving cars and urban mobility. The model combines visual cues with contextual information to anticipate pedestrians' next moves, reducing the risk of accidents and improving traffic safety.
A team of researchers designed a custom approach sound library for electric vehicles using low-frequency noise, which was found to be more effective at alerting pedestrians. The sounds were tested with volunteers and ranked highly on criteria such as urgency and noticeability.
A new poll suggests that more than 80% of people over 65 drive at least weekly, but less than half have made a plan for when they can no longer drive safely due to health changes. Only 6% of older drivers have discussed their driving with a healthcare provider.
Research by University of Birmingham scientists reveals that lower-income individuals are more likely to own cheaper, higher-emitting vehicles contributing disproportionately to local urban air pollution. Spending an additional £10,000 on a diesel vehicle is associated with a 40% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions per litre.
A new study from the Complexity Science Hub found that European cities with a metro system have a significant reduction in car use, with an average of 37% of car trips compared to 50% in cities with only trams and 54% without rail. In contrast, tram cities show no measurable impact on reducing car use.
A new study warns that the shift to electric freight could intensify the burden on NYC's infrastructure, with heavier batteries increasing annual repair costs by nearly 12%. The study recommends flexible, weight-based fees and expanded weight monitoring to mitigate the risks.
A Finnish study found that residential environments, health status, and health behaviours are associated with reduced car commuting. However, these factors only explained a small part of the overall modal shift towards active and sustainable commuting.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic metric called State of Mission (SOM) to predict EV battery performance based on both battery data and environmental factors. SOM significantly reduced prediction errors compared to traditional methods.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed a framework to use existing streetlights as EV chargers, resulting in cheaper installation costs and faster charging speeds. The study found that this approach offers an equitable and sustainable solution for expanding charging infrastructure, particularly in urban areas.
Researchers found nearly one in four children with firearm injuries returned to the emergency room within four years with another violent or crash-related injury. The study suggests a significant association between motor vehicle crashes and firearm injury, indicating a need for prevention strategies.
A new study by Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) reveals that transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Portland metro area generate significantly fewer car trips than previously estimated. At affordable housing sites, car trips were reduced to only a quarter to two-fifths of expected rates.
CCOR-2 is designed to provide high-fidelity coronal imaging and detect Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) closer to the solar disk. This will enable accurate measurements of coronal density and velocity, ultimately improving space weather forecasting capabilities.
Researchers developed a cylindrical air damper to improve the self-stabilization performance of flapping-wing micro-aircraft. The Tumbler FWMAV demonstrated breakthrough stabilization performance, with vertical stabilization duration improved by 5-fold and horizontal offset motion reduced by ±100 mm.