Important Innovations Collection

Teaming with AI Startup to Accelerate R&D Source:  Toyota Robot Home Support Robots Toyota has big plans for service robots for your home.  To accelerate R&D, Toyota is joining forces on research with Tokyo based Preferred Networks, which specializes in AI.  Japan's largest automaker wants the robots to be capable of learning "in a typical living environment". Robots in Homes and Hospitals Toyota and Preferred Networks have been collaborating on driverless vehicles since 2014.  In the dramatically changing automotive environment, Toyota has been pushing forward with new technologies such as electric and autonomous cars.  The company views robots as a big part of the future.  Not only does Toyota want to put robots in your home but also in hospitals. Home Support Robots The arrangement with Preferred Networks is a three year deal that includes sharing of intellectual property.  The focus is on Toyota's most promising robotic syste...

Teaching Self-Driving Cars to Predict Pedestrians' Next Moves Source:  University of Michigan Ford-Funded Predictive System Developed at University of Michigan Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing a new predictive system that enables self-driving cars to anticipate pedestrian movements.  The purpose is better defensive driving by driverless cars.  Ford is underwriting the research. Catalogs of Video The system starts with videos from a combination of cameras, lidar and GPS shot from a self-driving car recording how people move in a busy city intersection.  It records in 3D and determines motions that indicate the pedestrian's next move, such as a person focused on texting not crossing a street. High Predictive Success Rate According to the Michigan team, the system's results are spectacular.  It offers a median prediction translate error of only 80cm after just 6 seconds, as opposed to 7 meters of error with other metho...

Driverless Car Trajectory Displays Source:  Jaguar Bars of Light to Protect Pedestrians and Build Trust Jaguar Land Rover has just developed a new projection technology that signals the car's intentions - specifically, where it is immediately going. The technology is designed to protect pedestrians by letting them know where the car is headed and also to build trust in driverless cars. On the Road Signals The system displays the vehicle's next moves by projecting a series of horizontal bars of light that shine onto the road surface ahead of it. Source:  Jaguar Building Driverless Vehicle Trust The purpose of this innovation is to build trust with pedestrians.  The gaps between the bars widen as the vehicle accelerates and grow shorter as it slows down.  The system also displays an arc of light if the car is going to turn left or right.  It's brand new innovation for driverless cars as they increase on the road.  For more innovation news...