A collaboration between Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and National University of Singapore (NUS) has yielded a smart, driverless vehicle.
Named the Smart Autonomous Self Driving Vehicle, it can drive around, pick up and drop-off passengers on its own with the help of sensors and a computer. The vehicle even stops if it senses a pedestrian in its path.
The prototype will be featured this weekend at the Singapore Science Centre’s first Science Street Fair. Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the future of transportation, which its developers call Mobility-On-Demand.
Scientists envision a more efficient transportation system where cars are replaced by a fleet of carefully coordinated driverless vehicles. Calling on the vehicles instead of driving can ease traffic congestion during peak hours. Furthermore, a driverless vehicle comes in handy for the elderly, young and disabled.
On the issue of safety, creators of the SMART vehicle explained that the two built-in sensors have a much wider vision field than human drivers, 270 degrees each as compared to 100 degrees. Also, computers are emotionless and tireless so there wouldn’t be incidents of road rage or sleepy drivers.
Creators of the autonomous vehicle agreed, however, that parts of our current transportation system would have to be overhauled first before such technology can be implemented. In an interview with TODAY, Dr James Fu said ““It will affect how transportation is seen as a whole, how people will accept it. There’s a lot of interlocking factors involved.”
The Science Street Fair will be held at the Singapore Science Centre from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11. Entry is free.
Photo: Video screengrab
Source: TODAY
