A team of researchers and engineers led by Li-Shiuan Peh at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have come up with an innovative range-finding system that could make for a very inexpensive way to convert regular personal vehicles, such as golf carts and wheelchairs, into autonomous vehicles.
This system makes use of a special laser that works in conjunction by a camera equipped with 2D sensor capability. Once the technology is refined, it will make it possible to enjoy simple plug-in ways to create autonomous wheelchairs, golf carts and other personal vehicles. The system uses low-emission bursts of energy that are not hazardous.
Ultimately, this infra-red range-finding system could offer implications in a wide variety of settings ranging from personal mobility and luxury amenities to military and industrial settings just to name a few.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Affordable Autonomous Conversion
- The range-finding system provides an inexpensive way to convert personal vehicles into autonomous ones, opening up opportunities for affordable autonomous conversions in various industries.
- Plug-in Autonomy
- The technology allows for simple plug-in solutions to create autonomous wheelchairs, golf carts, and other personal vehicles, indicating a disruptive innovation opportunity in the personal mobility industry.
- Multifaceted Applications
- The infra-red range-finding system has implications in various settings, including personal mobility, luxury amenities, military, and industrial sectors, offering disruptive innovation opportunities across multiple industries.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Automotive Industry
- The affordable autonomous conversion technology presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the automotive industry to create low-cost autonomous vehicles by retrofitting existing personal vehicles.
- Healthcare Industry
- The plug-in autonomy technology opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the healthcare industry by enabling the creation of affordable autonomous wheelchairs and mobility devices.
- Tourism and Hospitality Industry
- The range-finding system's potential in luxury amenities provides disruptive innovation opportunities for the tourism and hospitality industry to offer autonomous golf carts and transport services.
