We completely sympathize with people who are often looked down upon for not knowing how to drive a car. Cheer-up, there's some good news for you! The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (Smart) and National University of Singapore has launched a driverless electric car named 'Scot' (Shared Computer Operated Transport). As per sources, the car borrows some of the technology from Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car. Initially the car shall be put to test within the lanes of NUS campus to check if the technology needs some improvement.
NUS collaborator, Associate Professor Marcelo Ang said, “This (the project) will not only help us to learn and improve the system, but also provide a visible platform to increase public awareness and government support in our endeavor to create better transport solutions for urban cities”. Sources stated, the technology called LIDAR has bee wired to this car. LIDAR’s technology utilizes radar’s distance calculation capabilities and laser’s focused imaging. It is also said that the new technology is an economical alternative, in comparison to the existing line 3D laser sensors that are mated in robot cars.
The car is capable of attaining a top speed of 130 km/hr. Professor Emilio Frazzoli, SMART’s lead investigator for the Future Urban Mobility Interdisciplinary Research Group said, “we converted the electric car into a driverless car in just six months at no more than $30,000 for the sensors and on-board computer”. Frazzoli also appreciated the efforts put-in by the batch of young, talented and dedicated students. Moreover, it is said that the car does not need to rely upon a Global Positioning System and is purely based on Remote Sensing technology. The laser sensors are highly efficient and can detect up to 30 meter range, thereby avoiding any obstacle on the way.
Official reports stating the launch of street version has not be revealed. But for interested auto fanatics you can catch a glimpse of these plying within the National University of Singapore campus. The technology is expected to bring a major relief for people who do not know how to drive, it is also helpful for skillful drivers as they may sit back and leave the steering on its own!
