Technological Advances Fuels Future of AV


It is unclear when the transportation revolution will hit full tilt but one thing that can be predicted with reasonable certainty is that it will happen. Traditional cars, meaning those with a pistol-driven engine, are not going out of fashion. They continue to be sold steadily around the world. But, the emergence of peer to peer taxi apps, such as Uber and Lyft, as well as the increase in production of electric cars signal that something new is on the horizon. This theory is backed up by the development of driverless cars. In essence, the future looks autonomous, shared, connected and electric.
This development comes with two big benefits. The first will be regarding the environment and how electric cars will have a positive impact on plans for a green future. The second is that companies who stand at the forefront of these transportation developments are going to make some serious money. We’re talking in the trillions of dollars. Researchers and private industries are pairing up and pouring in vast resources to explore the next generation of transportation, not just for land, but for sea and space as well.
One of the most exciting products being worked on at the moment is the concept car being created by the superstar team of Lamborghini and MIT. The car will be capable of semi-autonomous driving and has a number of fancy features, including self-healing bodywork. The car is powered by electric motors, which get their electricity from supercapacitors. Lamborghini is a firm believer that by scrapping the battery pack in favour of the supercapacitor, they will iron out a lot of the limitations that electric cars have faced so far.
The Lamboghini Terzo Millenio, as it will be known, has not quite got to production point yet but is a promising indicator of what we can expect from future supercars.
Looking to the seas, the developments are equally exciting but notably more complex. AutonomousUnderwater Vehicles (AUVs) need to be able to perform complicated manoeuvres in tight spaces. Rice University is working on the next generation of AUVs and creating programmes that will increase their capabilities. As well as propelling through open water, AUVs will be able to navigate tight spaces with a reduced speed, focusing on docking and breaking motions. This will allow for the inspection of leaking oil tanks among other things.
Meanwhile, another team at the University is working on a robot that would be able to repair the leak once it has been inspected by the AUV. This ambitious project would take underwater engineering to a whole new level.
Finally, NASA plans to be able to send humans to Mars by 2030. The journey would take about 9 months each way and passengers will be able to stay on the planet for 16 months. In preparation, the space centre will be sending a fleet or robots out to Mars to get the place ready for the arrival of humans. Virginia Tech is hopeful that NASA will use its autonomous mining system on its first voyage.


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