Nevada just passed a law that could let self-driving cars on the road as soon as March 1, 2012. The new legislation directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to "adopt regulations authorizing the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways within the State of Nevada."
According to the law, an "autonomous vehicle" is one that uses "artificial intelligence, sensors and global positioning system coordinates to drive itself without the active intervention of a human operator." The law asks the DMV to create a driver's license endorsement for such vehicles.
According to the law, an "autonomous vehicle" is one that uses "artificial intelligence, sensors and global positioning system coordinates to drive itself without the active intervention of a human operator." The law asks the DMV to create a driver's license endorsement for such vehicles.
Self-driving cars have been tested by Google, and recently, by Volkswagen. The autonomous VW uses a "Temporary Autopilot" program that can control the car using a radar system, laser scanner and ultrasonic sensors to determine its position in relation to other cars, to slow down near curves in the road, and more.
While the law may seem like a whiff of the future, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll see cars careening around on their own anytime soon. Rather, the law asks that the DMV design regulations that will help determine how such cars can be approved and used.
Google has been a major proponent of the self-driving car, saying that it believes such vehicles could cut road accidents in half. The company has already tested out their automated cars on the streets of California, logging over 140,000 miles. And, according to The New York Times, Google has been lobbying in Nevada for the passage of this very law.
Steven Levy's book "In The Plex" describes how current Google CEO Larry Page once wanted to enter the stage at the CES tech conference in Las Vegas while sitting on the roof of a self-driving car named Stanley. He didn't get his wish then, but it looks like he might now
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
High-precision robots available in kit form
High-precision robots available in kit form: "In practice, “plates” equipped with motors that give them from one to three degrees of freedom are mounted on a cube 10 cm wide. According to their type and disposition, they can allow up to six degrees of freedom (three translational and three for rotation) to a point situated at one of the angles of the cube, on which a tool can be fitted"
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Artificial Intelligences Fight for World Dominion…in Ms. Pac-Man (video) | Singularity Hub
Artificial Intelligences Fight for World Dominion…in Ms. Pac-Man (video) | Singularity Hub: "Ms. Pac-Man vs. Ghosts is a unique reminder that ultimate competition won’t be between man and machine but between ever more incredible forms of artificial intelligence."
Monday, June 06, 2011
Make: Online | Excellent MicroRAX/Linxmotion Robot Legs
Make: Online | Excellent MicroRAX/Linxmotion Robot Legs: "I made this biped with the intention of building a full body. I merged MicroRax parts with the lynxmotion parts, a little bit of hacking and cheating was necessary to get everything to fit together nicely. At this point my goal is to shift weight to one leg and try to lift the other."
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Where I write: Daniel H. Wilson and the revolt of the robots | OregonLive.com
Where I write: Daniel H. Wilson and the revolt of the robots | OregonLive.com: "Wilson thinks all this stuff is getting weird. He loves it, but he just wants to get the word out about robots. They're great. We couldn't live without them. But don't turn your back on them."
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About Me
- Craig
- eureka, California, United States
- As Popeye once said,"I ams what I am." But then again maybe I'm not