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Self-driving cars can be fooled by fake signals
You'd think that self-driving cars would be most vulnerable to remote hacks, but the biggest danger may come from someone nearby with a handful of cheap electronics. Security researcher Jonathan Petit has determined that you can fool LIDAR (the laser ranging common on autonomous vehicles) by sending "echoes" of fake cars and other objects through laser pulses. All you need is a low-power laser, a basic computing device (an Arduino kit or Raspberry Pi is enough) and the right timing -- you don't even need good aim. Petit managed to spoof objects from as far as 330 feet away in his proof-of-concept attack, and he notes that it's possible to present multiple copies of these imaginary objects or make them move. In other words, it'd only take one prankster to make a self-driving car swerve or stop to avoid a non-existent threat.
Autonomous golf carts drive tourists around in Singapore
MIT and the National Research Foundation of Singapore recently tested an autonomous vehicle they developed together. No, it's not a car or a truck -- it's a golf cart. The researchers created a self-driving golf cart called SMART and deployed several at a public garden to drive 500 or so tourists around during a six-day experiment. Since they crafted a whole system and not just the autonomous vehicle itself, they also tested a booking method which people used to schedule pick-ups and drop offs. In the future, that system could be adapted to a mobile app like Uber.
Google's custom self-driving car comes to Austin
Google's cute, koala-faced self-driving car is no longer limited to roaming around Californian streets. The company is bringing "a few" of the prototype autonomous vehicles to Austin, Texas within the next few weeks. They'll stick to the same northern parts of the city as the modified Lexus SUVs do today, so don't expect to see one parked outside of Stubb's BBQ any time soon. Still, this is a rare chance to see Google's robotic ride outside of its native habitat -- so long as you aren't trying any fancy bike tricks, you're in for a treat.
Google's self-driving cars can't handle bicycle track stands
Ever performed a track stand, where you keep your bike upright at a stop without taking your feet off the pedals? If you have, you'll want to avoid trying that around Google's self-driving cars, at least for a while. One Austin-based cyclist reports an encounter where one of the autonomous cars was comically unsure of what to do when it spotted him doing a track stand at an intersection. Every time his bike moved even slightly, the car would lurch forward and promptly hit the brakes. Nothing happened beyond some good laughs, but it was clear that Google's self-driving code didn't know how to handle a not-quite-stationary bike.
This web game shows you why self-driving cars are better
You've probably heard that self-driving cars are safer than their human-guided equivalents (as a general rule, at least). But what if you have a hard time wrapping your head around how that concept works in practice? Never fear: developers Mark Backler and Peter Cardwell-Gardner have posted a web game, Error-Prone, that teaches you about the perils of overcrowded roads and the virtues of autonomous vehicles. You're supposed to take control of one of the closely-packed cars circling in a loop, but doing so almost guarantees that you'll either slow everyone down or cause an accident. It's much like WarGames' nuclear battle, where the only way to win is not to play -- the sooner you realize that the computer is better at driving than you are, the sooner traffic calms down.
Apple and BMW have been exploring partnerships on cars
Apple and BMW may eventually have more in common than just some features in your car's infotainment system. Sources for both Reuters and Manager Magazin understand that the two companies have had "exploratory talks," including a trip by Apple executives to Leipzig to see how BMW builds the i3. Apple reportedly likes that BMW rethought the conventional car manufacturing process for its electric vehicle, and might use what it learned to help make its own EV. While BMW claims that there aren't any active talks about jointly developing a car, a Reuters tipster hears that the firms may revive talks (not necessarily to co-produce a vehicle) later on.
Self-driving taxis may be the key to cutting greenhouse gases
You may think that self-driving cars are mostly useful for reducing accident rates and freeing your time, but they might just help save the environment, too. Berkeley Lab researchers have published a study which suggests that switching the transportation grid from conventional vehicles to autonomous electric taxis would cut greenhouse gas emission levels up to 90 percent by 2030. While the clean EV powerplants would play a large part, the switch away from privately-owned cars that would make nearly as much of a difference. A big key would be "right-sizing" trips -- since you'd usually just need a tiny car to get around, you could avoid getting into a big vehicle until it's necessary. The base data doesn't even include some of the efficiencies that are inherent to robotic cars, like optimized routes and closely-packed traffic that cuts wind resistance.
Google tests self-driving cars in Austin, Texas
Plenty of folks in Austin, Texas have spotted Google's distinctive self-driving Lexus cars recently, and now we know why. The company revealed that it's now rolling the vehicles in downtown Austin in order to "(test) our software in different driving environments, traffic patterns and road conditions." While Google could also test its self-driving cars in Nevada and elsewhere, Austin is the first city outside of Mountain View where it's actually done so. The reason? "We've loved how much Austin embraces innovation," a Google spokesperson told the Austin American-Statesmen. She added that with Google Fiber and several company offices in the city, it was a natural fit for self-driving cars.
Ford gets serious with self-driving and 3D printing tech
Ford's new Research and Innovation Center in Palo Alto must be doing well. The autonomous driving technologies the company's been developing in the facility, which are all part of its "Smart Mobility" plan announced at CES this year, are entering advanced engineering and implementation phase. For starters, the company will work on making its sensing and computing technology viable for actual use. It will also bring Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that's already loaded on Ford Mondeos in Europe to a Ford vehicle in the US by next year. More importantly, the Detroit-based automaker plans to install driver assist technologies across its product lineup within the next five years. Those technologies include park assist, lane-departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
California U-turns, DMV releases self-driving car crash data
Facing pressure from the Associated Press, the California Department of Motor Vehicles released incident reports for self-driving cars on Thursday. The department had previously refused to do so, as state law regards collision reports as confidential. Per the initial DMV release, a majority of the accidents occurred when the car was in self-driving mode but were caused by the other vehicles involved. None of the accidents mentioned were serious enough to injure passengers in either car. Google, which has a team of companies working on its upcoming self-driving car prototype (pictured above), released its own crash report earlier this month at the behest of curious observers. In all, Google's 23 vehicles have traveled 1.8 million miles of California highways (1.1 million in self-driving mode), and were involved in a total of 12 fender benders over that time span. [Image Credit: AP]
Phone-controlled Range Rover helps you get out of a jam
Never mind those dreams of using a handheld device to steer your car from the back seat, James Bond-style -- the real purpose of remote control may be to get your vehicle past a muddy trench. Jaguar Land Rover is developing smartphone control technology that lets you pilot a car (in this case, a Range Rover Sport) at very low speeds while you're outside, helping you get past difficult terrain or tricky parking spots. You have to operate everything manually at the moment, but the hope is that this will eventually bring a level of push-button autonomy where you simply tap a button to get around some rocks or back out of your garage.
Audi's R8 e-tron electric supercar can now drive itself
Slowly but surely, Audi is getting closer to realizing Will Smith's wildly futuristic motor from I, Robot. At CES Asia, the company has revealed an updated version of its R8 e-tron electric supercar with self-driving capabilities. A bevy of sensors have been rigged up inside, including a laser scanner, video cameras, ultrasonic and radar sensors. All of the environmental data is then fed through Audi's "zFAS" driver assistance system, which ultimately dictates how the concept car behaves on the road. It's not the first time Audi has experimented with autonomous and electric vehicles, but it's still hard to ignore this beautiful combination of the two. If you need a reminder, Audi's R8 e-tron wields two 170 kW electric motors capable of pushing it from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. With a top speed of 250 km/h and a two-hour charging time, it's certainly no Nissan Leaf.
Uber poached Carnegie Mellon's robotics lab to make self-driving cars (updated)
Remember how Uber forged a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University to get its ambitions for self-driving cars off the ground? It turns out this deal wasn't exactly balanced. The Verge understands that Uber poached much of the autonomous vehicle team from Carnegie Mellon's robotics lab, including top staff who'd been there for more than a decade. There's a transition period that keeps these researchers around to finish existing work, but the rash of departures is reportedly creating a vacuum at the school -- and it's not clear if those soon-to-depart people are working on academic projects or Uber technology.
Recommended Reading: The making of a self-driving semitruck
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. How Daimler Built the World's First Self-driving Semi by Alex Davies Wired In case you missed it, Daimler built a self-driving big rig, and it just recently got the OK to hit the road in Nevada. The Freightliner truck, known as Inspiration, took a team of around 60 engineers six months to build. Wired's Alex Davies offers a behind-the-scenes look at the project, detailing some of the tech that's onboard.
Tesla thinks turn signals will solve liability in semi-autonomous cars
In vehicles with self-driving features, who takes the blame for a crash? Tesla may have an answer. The Wall Street Journal understands that the turn signal activation of the Model S' car-passing autopilot is largely about liability. When you flick the signal stalk, you're conveying your intent -- if the vehicle smacks into someone else as a consequence, you're likely at fault. This is unfortunate if it leaves you on the hook for an accident that was out of your hands, but it could also save you from requiring special registration to get your semi-autonomous machine on the road.
Los Angeles is hiring an advisor for ridesharing and robotic cars
Los Angeles might be opening up to next-generation transportation between its loosening stance on ridesharing and its deal with Waze, but it's still looking for someone who can shed more light on the subject. Mayor Eric Garcetti has revealed that the city is hiring an advisor who'll create a transportation strategy that factors in newer technology, including ridesharing services and self-driving cars. The hope is that this will modernize both road safety and traffic flow in a metropolis that's notorious for its dependence on cars. The catch? This is a year-long fellowship, not a permanent position. LA may set off in the right direction, but it's not certain that the local government will be prepared if future tech introduces new problems.
The first self-driving big rig licensed to operate in the US
A Daimler-built autonomous truck can now legally operate on the highways of Nevada. Gov. Brian Sandoval has officially granted the "Freightliner Inspiration Truck" a license for road use in the state, making it the first of its kind to navigate public roads in the US. The Inspiration's "Highway Pilot system" is loaded with cameras, radars, other sensors and computer hardware like most autonomous vehicles. However, it's not completely self-driving -- it still needs a human driver behind the wheel.
The Big Picture: Chevy's self-driving concept car is straight out of sci-fi
Thought that Mercedes' F 015 self-driving car was futuristic? It looks old hat next to GM's autonomous electric concept, the Chevrolet-FNR. The pod-like design appears ripped straight from a sci-fi flick, complete with crystal laser lights, "dragonfly" swinging doors and sensors (including radar) that aren't as conspicuous as they are on other robotic vehicles. And that's just the outside -- inside, it's touting magnetic hubless wheel electric motors, wireless charging, swiveling front seats and eye recognition to verify the owner. As with most out-there concepts, the chances of driving what you see here are slim to none. However, it won't be at all shocking if the technology in the FNR eventually trickles down to more practical (if far less adventurous) cars.
Tesla's Model S is getting a self-driving 'autopilot' mode in three months
The self-driving future is almost here -- if you've got one of Tesla's Model S cars. Tesla CEO Elon Musk just announced that it'll be bringing its new automatic steering mode, simply dubbed "autopilot," to the Model S lineup in three to four months via a software update. Musk says you'll basically be able to "go between San Francisco and Seattle without the driver doing anything." He's also careful to point out this isn't true self-driving, just very powerful automatic steering (it was announced alongside the dual-motor Model S in October). The downside? It's only available on highways, and it requires one of Tesla's $4,250 "optional tech" package. Musk notes that the company's current technology likely won't be safe in suburban neighborhoods, which often have random obstacles like kids playing in the street. Eventually, you'll be able to have your Model S park itself or drive up to you in a parking lot -- just don't expect to do that on public roads.
The autonomous shuttle hoping to transform public transport
A common criticism of self-driving vehicles is that many people, especially petrolheads, love getting behind the wheel and putting the pedal to the floor. It's true that some companies are developing autonomous replacements for the car on your driveway, but others are taking a slightly different approach. While the technology is still in its infancy, they're building driverless vehicles that supplement, rather than replace, traditional motors and public transport, with the idea being that they could ferry urbanites across short distances. An autonomous bus might sound less exciting than the recently rumored self-driving Apple car, but it could prove more useful and achievable, at least in the near future.
