Drones can be picked up for less than the cost of game consoles, but the cutting edge of technology still comes at a hefty price. If you want a drone that is not only autonomous, but can track up to 10 people simultaneously, all the while traveling at 30mph, you’ll need to shell out $999 for the all-new Skydio 2. This drone features NVIDIA Tegra X2-based AI processing that tracks moving subjects, complete with omni-directional awareness of its environment. Read more for two videos and additional information.
Self-driving trucks in customer operations are nothing new, but the Scania AXL does not have a cab and that’s a game changer. The company built upon an existing chassis, and is powered by a biodiesel engine. Unlike its manned counterpart, the AXL utilizes seven cameras, multiple radars, and a laser to help it navigate its environment. Read more for two videos and additional information.
Inspired by Nissan’s ProPILOT 2.0 driver assistance technology, this golf ball can turn just about anyone into a professional, as it uses a predefined route to its goal. How does it work? An overhead camera detects the position of the ball and cup. When it’s hit, a monitoring system calculates the correct route based on the ball’s movement and adjusts its trajectory in real-time.
First unveiled last month, the fully-autonomous, electric Bently EXP 100 GT concept imagines an ultra luxurious tourer for the year 2035. Starting on the outside, it comes equipped with a massive mesh grille decorated with 6,000 LED bulbs, rounded, beveled headlights that break the tradition of standard Bentley two-roundels, and of course, the magnificent hood-mounted Flying B. Read more for an up-close look video, additional pictures and information.
Researchers at China’s Tsinghua University recently demonstrated an autonomous bicycle in Beijing that can not only balance itself, but avoid obstacles while doing so. Powered by the Tianjic chip, it’s capable of following certain trajectories and even respond to vocal commands. The chip merges computer science-based machine learning and human brain-inspired networks, which means it can perform several actions independently at the same time.
Bentley Motors has unveiled the EXP 100 GT to celebrate its 100th birthday today. This vehicle provides a vision of the future of luxury mobility and reimagines Grand Touring for the world of 2035. Starting of the exterior, the chassis is made from lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber, with driver / passenger doors that pivot outward and upwards for effortless access. You’ll also find dynamic exterior lighting, starting with the smart, illuminated matrix grille and Flying B mascot. The rear boasts a 3D OLED display on which lighting effects can blend in with the rear taillights. Read more for a detailed video tour, additional pictures and information.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have successfully tested a plane that can land fully autonomously, without input from the airport. The project is called “C2Land” and to make this possible, the TU Braunschweig team designed an optical reference system, or in other words, a camera in the normal visible range and an infrared camera that can also provide data under conditions with poor visibility. Then custom-tailored image processing software was developed to let the system determine where the aircraft is relative to the runway based on the camera data it receives. Read more for a video and additional information.
In the near future, the road will be filled with fully autonomous vehicles, with some offering more luxuries than others. Meet EXIGEN. Offering Level 5 Autonomy, this all-electric vehicle even comes with its own robotic butler, which can be thought of as a cargo drone of sorts that is capable of transporting your luggage just about anywhere, while being able to automatically return to its base when finished. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Domino’s Pizza has partnered with Nuro, a robotics company transforming local commerce, for an autonomous pizza delivery platform using the custom unmanned vehicle known as the R2 later this year. They will use Nuro’s unmanned fleet to serve select Houston Domino’s customers who place orders online.
The Airbus Alpha Two is a prototype demonstrator of its future autonomous flying taxi platform. It’s the latest addition to the company’s Vahana project, with lift being provided eight propellers. Airbus says it’s already completed 50 full-scale test flights with its predecessor, the Alpha One. This fully autonomous aircraft boasts advanced hardware and software for self-navigation, all developed this system in-house through its Wayfinder technology. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.