Self-driving Cars

Thursday, May 16, 2024 | Last Update : 08:42 PM IST

The plan for separate lanes runs contrary to the school of thought that systems being tested are getting better and soon will be able to navigate the same lanes as those with cars driven by humans. (Representative Image | AFP)

Plans for special lanes for autonomous cars raises questions on evolution of self-driving tech

Many companies are not yet confident their systems can perform under a range of unpredictable conditions, hence the push for separate lanes.

14 Aug 2020 12:14 PM

Chinese consumers—known for eagerly embracing e-commerce, online payments and other digital solutions—are lining up for a spin in DiDi Chuxing’s self-developed autonomous taxis at a Shanghai pilot project launched in June. (Photo | AFP)

China begins testing robotaxis for hire amid race against US tech dominance

Autonomous hired cars are considered ideal for accumulating driving time and the data cache needed for cars to learn and become safe enough.

09 Aug 2020 4:33 PM

Level 5 autonomy means a vehicle can handle any situation, any weather or terrain without human assistance—a tall order despite Elon Musk’s claims Tesla was nearing it. (Photo | Pixabay - Lobpreis)

It’s hyberbole, Musk can’t bring out a fully automated Tesla this year, experts say

Developers are starting to realise the limits of artificial intelligence and the benefits of the human brain in handling many situations.

10 Jul 2020 5:02 PM

Deep-pocketed companies such as Intel, which is sitting on USD 11.4 billion cash, are expected to forge ahead with their investments in fields they believe will turn into gold mines. After Intel bought Mobileye, the self-driving car startup's revenue has ballooned from $210 million in 2017 to $879 million last year. That’s a reflection of the big bets being placed on automated driving by both major technology companies, such as Google spinoff Waymo and Apple, and automakers such as General Motors and Toyota. (Photo | Mobileye)

Intel buys Moovit app to boost its self-driving car business in an age of social distancing

The chip maker plans to combine Moovit with Mobileye, a self-driving car specialist that Intel bought for about USD 15 billion in 2017.

05 May 2020 3:20 PM

Currently smartphone cameras use multiple lenses to create high-quality, in-focus images

No-focus camera made by Indian-led team could make smartphones less bulky

The single flat lens can reduce the weight, complexity and cost of cameras, says lead researcher Rajesh Menon

13 Mar 2020 2:52 PM

Uber has taken a more cautious approach to testing since one of its self-driving vehicles killed a pedestrian in March 2018.

Uber self-driving cars, with humans in control, to cruise Friday

Uber is operating self-driving cars in autonomous mode with safety drivers behind the wheel.

27 Jan 2020 7:17 AM

Self-driving cars have many intelligent technologies that help to keep them safe. (Photo: ANI)

Researchers design games for autonomous vehicles owners

The researchers also made suggestions for many exciting types of in-car games for future exploration.

19 Nov 2019 8:06 AM

The researchers used the population-based training (PBT) technique which was previously used to train DeepMind to play StarCraft II.

Alphabet is using StarCraft II to train self-driving cars

The technique is inspired by biological evolution and speeds up the selection of machine learning algorithms.

29 Jul 2019 7:56 AM

As part of a broader deal set to be announced on Friday, VW will become an equal stakeholder in Ford’s autonomous vehicles venture.

Volkswagen to kick in USD 2.6 billion to Ford’s self driving unit

Volkswagen also plans to build a multi-brand production plant in Turkey.

13 Jul 2019 12:12 PM

As we age, it becomes increasingly more difficult and this is further complicated if the conditions on the road are poor. (Photo: ANI)

Independent? Old? Self driving cars are for you

Fully automated, they are unlikely to require a license and could negotiate bad weather and unfamiliar cities.

05 Jul 2019 8:05 AM

Manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly skeptical about the speed of adoption of fully automated self-driving systems, because of both their high cost and complexity. (Photo: Jaguar)

Cheaper sensors could speed more self-driving cars to market by 2022

The tremendous cost of lidar - prices for individual sensors currently range from about USD 6,000 to more than USD 100,000.

13 Jun 2019 1:01 PM

The new vehicles - known by the internal code number 519G and under development for several years - are safer, more reliable and will replace the older vehicles in Uber’s fleet “soon". (Photo: AP)

Uber unveils next-generation Volvo self-driving car

Uber said the new production XC90 will be assembled by Volvo Cars in Sweden and have human controls like steering wheels and brake pedals.

13 Jun 2019 12:32 PM

The researchers programmed a small fleet of miniature robotic cars to drive on a multi-lane track and observed how the traffic flow changed when one of the cars stopped.

Automated cars can work together to keep traffic moving

Autonomous cars could fix a lot of different problems associated with driving in cities.

21 May 2019 1:51 PM

Experts say they're skeptical whether Tesla's technology has advanced anywhere close to the point where its cars will be capable of being driven solely by a robot, without a human in position to take control if something goes awry.

Tesla gears up for fully self-driving cars amid scepticism

Musk, known for his swagger as well as his smarts, is so certain that Tesla will win the race toward full autonomy.

22 Apr 2019 1:14 PM

Volkswagen has 4,000 engineers in China, with an average age of 29, spread over five research and development sites.

China to become global software development hub to autonomous tech: VW

Carmakers are struggling to find qualified engineers to build the software algorithms needed to teach cars the right reflexes.

16 Apr 2019 12:02 PM

The progress of Uber’s self-driving car unit is in the spotlight as the company prepares to kick off its initial public offering this year. (Photo: AP)

Uber, ahead of IPO, sees some time before self-driving cars dominate the road

Uber, last valued at USD 76 billion in the private market, is seeking a valuation as high as USD 120 billion in its IPO.

09 Apr 2019 11:31 AM

Hyundai, the world’s 5th largest automaker together with affiliate Kia Motors, has been fostering partnerships with self-driving tech and social media firms as it aims to introduce highly automated vehicles by 2020 and fully autonomous vehicles by 2030.

Hyundai Motor, Tencent tie up to develop self-driving cars software

Both companies plan to conduct joint research and development on safety and security systems for self-driving cars.

07 Apr 2019 1:34 PM

With the notable exception of Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc, most automakers have said their self-driving cars will rely on a detection system known as lidar.

A chaotic market for one sensor stalls self-driving cars

Pressure to launch self-driving cars is already pushing many players to place bets on the technology.

06 Mar 2019 2:50 PM

Uber has not resumed testing in San Francisco or Toronto, where it previously had programs. (File Photo: AP)

Uber not criminally liable in fatal 2018 Arizona self-driving crash - prosecutors

The crash involved a Volvo XC90 sports utility vehicle that Uber was using to test self-driving technology.

06 Mar 2019 2:46 PM

It also plans restructuring measures that will generate 1 billion in earnings uplift already in 2018. (Representational Photo)

Audi to invest 14 billion euros in e-mobility, self-driving cars

The company’s total projected expenditure for the next five years amounts to 40 billion euros.

04 Dec 2018 6:10 PM

Amazon's latest gadget: A self-driving toy car for coders

Amazon’s cloud unit announced a $399 autonomous toy car, aimed at helping web developers try out some of their own self-driving technology.

30 Nov 2018 4:13 PM

European carmakers are racing to keep up with the rapid pace of development in the self-driving and electric vehicle markets.

Self-driving car industry needs standards and security: executives

Government and industry should work closely together to ensure success as the market evolves.

08 Nov 2018 7:55 AM

Company officials acknowledge they have a long way to go to regain public trust after the March 18 crash in Tempe, Arizona.(Tempe Police Department via AP, File)

Uber wants to resume self-driving car tests on public roads

The company has filed an application on with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to test in Pittsburgh.

03 Nov 2018 1:28 PM

US plans to rewrite rules that impede self-driving cars

The NHTSA is moving ahead with plans to revise safety rules that bar fully self-driving cars from the roads.

05 Oct 2018 7:53 AM

Toyota Motor Corp will invest USD 500 million in Uber Technologies Inc to jointly work on developing self-driving cars, the companies said on Monday, a bid by both to catch up to rivals in the hotly competitive autonomous driving business.

Toyota to invest USD 500 million in Uber for self-driving cars

Uber will combine its autonomous driving system with Toyota’s Guardian technology.

28 Aug 2018 11:02 AM

The deal, one of the largest yet for Mobileye, is a sign of how carmakers and suppliers are accelerating the introduction of features that automate certain driving tasks. (Photo: Intel)

Intel's Mobileye gets self-driving tech deal for 8 million cars

The company's autonomous driving unit has signed this contract with European automaker with its self-driving tech.

18 May 2018 11:08 AM

Uber driverless car heads out for a test drive in San Francisco.(File Photo: AP)

Self-driving cars need human driver's backup, says US auto safety

Automakers and tech companies rely on human drivers to step in when necessary with self-driving technology.

04 Apr 2018 2:07 PM

The Nvidia DRIVE platform is used by over 370 companies developing self-driving technology, including automakers and robotaxi companies and makers of self-driving hardware, such as sensors, Huang said.

NVIDIA halts self-driving tests in wake of Uber accident

Nvidia has been conducting testing of self-driving cars around the globe, including in Santa Clara, California; New Jersey and Japan.

28 Mar 2018 8:16 AM

Photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, investigators examine a driverless Uber SUV that fatally struck a woman in Tempe, Ariz.(Photo: AP)

Self-driving car industry addresses trust issues after Uber crash

Companies like General Motors Co, Alphabet and Uber urged policymakers not to withold on an industry still in development.

23 Mar 2018 9:40 AM

The results will mark a significant turnaround for the conglomerate.

Saved by sensors, Sony aims to expand their use in robotics, self-driving cars

Sony to develop the technology for use in robotics and self-driving cars as competition is heating up.

21 Dec 2017 9:03 AM

Three companies are now testing self-driving cars in Boston's Seaport District.

Self-driving cars could ease traffic, but increase sprawl

The study included a computer simulation of how downtown Boston traffic would change with the advent of self-driving cars.

17 Oct 2017 2:47 PM

Tesla founder and Chief Executive Elon Musk (Photo: AP)

Robocalypse now?

There will be other shocks too, as some experts are predicting human-robot marriages by 2050.

25 Jul 2017 1:44 AM

Apple is renting Lexus RX450h sport-utility vehicles from Hertz's Donlen fleet-management unit.

Apple working with Hertz to test self-driving technology: report

Apple is leasing a small fleet of cars from rental company Hertz Global Holdings to test self-driving technology.

27 Jun 2017 8:33 AM

Apple working on autonomous cars: CEO Tim Cook

The company is focusing on autonomous systems, Cook told Bloomberg Television on June 5.

14 Jun 2017 3:45 PM

Alphabet's Waymo confirms development of self-driving trucks

US-based Tesla is also stepping up efforts in autonomous driving and is set to launch its first semi-truck in September.

05 Jun 2017 5:21 PM

Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Google parent company Alphabet Inc, Ford Motor Co, Uber Technologies Inc, Toyota Motor Corp, Tesla Motors Inc and others also filed comments suggesting changes. California said on Tuesday it would review comments before

Apple, Tesla ask California to change proposed self-driving car test policy

Apple Inc urged California to toughen up its proposed policy on testing self-driving cars, to catch up to rivals in the self-driving space.

29 Apr 2017 8:18 AM

Apple was granted a permit to test self-driving cars on April 14 by the California Department of Motor Vehicles but the company has never said anything about its plan.

Apple self-driving car testing plan gives clues to tech program

Apple joins a long list of carmakers, start-ups and technology rivals, including Alphabet's Waymo, that are testing cars on state roads.

22 Apr 2017 10:33 AM

The state's Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking public comment on proposed regulations for driverless testing and public use of autonomous vehicles that will no longer be required to have conventional manual controls such as steering wheels and pedals.

California paves way to self-driving car tests without humans

The proposed change provides a path to the eventual sale and deployment of self-driving vehicles in California

11 Mar 2017 7:15 AM

The new camera records the changes in light intensity between scenes at nanosecond intervals, much faster than conventional video, and it stores the images in a data format that is many times smaller as well.

Ultra-fast camera for self-driving vehicles invented

Unlike typical optical cameras, NTU’s new smart camera can record the slightest movements and objects in real time.

21 Feb 2017 3:05 PM

Uber hires NASA engg, will develop flying cars

Uber gets NASA engg onboard to make flying cars.

08 Feb 2017 11:49 AM

Uber removes self-driving cars from San Francisco

Uber Technologies Inc. has removed its self-driving cars from San Francisco streets after California regulators cracked down on the program.

22 Dec 2016 8:22 AM

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