Skip to main content

Duck soup

Researchers at the highly prestigious MIT University in the US are developing technology for advanced autonomous vehicles, with the help of toy taxis and plastic ducks. The research team have set up a large test area to simulate urban streets, fitting cameras to the toy taxis to allow the development of sophisticated algorithms that will help in controlling full-sized autonomous vehicles when the work is complete. The plastic ducks meanwhile have been brought along to enjoy the ride, simulating the presence
August 23, 2016 Read time: 1 min
Researchers at the highly prestigious MIT University in the US are developing technology for advanced autonomous vehicles, with the help of toy taxis and plastic ducks. The research team have set up a large test area to simulate urban streets, fitting cameras to the toy taxis to allow the development of sophisticated algorithms that will help in controlling full-sized autonomous vehicles when the work is complete. The plastic ducks meanwhile have been brought along to enjoy the ride, simulating the presence of (uncomplaining) passengers.

Related Content

  • Lindsay argues the case for reversible lanes over adding lanes
    June 26, 2018
    Build new lanes or use existing lanes more effectively? In a recent US study* commissioned by Lindsay Transportation Solutions, the company argues the case for reversible lanes. The level of future uncertainty in transportation planning - specifically in addressing congestion on urban freeways - has increased significantly over the past few years. The impact of connected and autonomous vehicles on traffic flow, of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) initiatives, particularly the car-sharing elements, and exciting
  • Melbourne to become a plastic road test bed
    August 30, 2023
    According to RMIT - the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology - 10 project sites around the Australian city will use an estimated 21,000kg of recycled plastic.
  • Fast smart car
    January 14, 2015
    Audi has let its sophisticated autonomous RS7 performance car loose on the famous Hockenheim race circuit, with successful results. The vehicle features advanced computing technology that allows it to drive itself and was able to achieve speeds of 240km/h while completing a lap on the Grand Prix race circuit. A combination of GPS location data and onboard camera technology enabled the vehicle to compare with stored track map information and identify its precise location on the track, allowing it to drive at
  • Dynapac’s high capacity asphalt paver
    September 30, 2013
    Dynapac is now offering the SD2550CS tracked paver, which is said to deliver high productivity and efficiency at a low cost/tonne. The machine is also fitted with Dynapac’s latest intelligent Pave Manager 2.0 control system, further boosting mat quality. The company says that the paver has benefited from an intensive research and development programme and the R&D team has worked hard to improve a number of features on the new paver, which now has an improved operator work station and controls systems, lo