# Infrared Range-Finding Systems This System Can Convert Personal Vehicles Into Autonomous Ones By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-03-29 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rangefinding-system References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/laser-rangefinder-cheap-laser/42507/) & [news.mit.edu](http://news.mit.edu/2016/phone-based-laser-rangefinder-works-outdoors-0325) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-vehicle-innovation). 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wheeled-robotic-aid), 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Advanced LiDAR Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lidar-systems.md) - [Night Vision Driving Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auto-ai-night-vision-system-infiray-nv2.md) - [Water-Mapping Autonomous Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-vessel.md) - [Smart Parking Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/radar-vision-parking.md) - [AI-Powered Steering Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-steering-system.md) - [AI-Driven Robotics Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aidriven-robotics-technology.md) - [Smart City Infrastructure Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/siliconphotonics.md) - [Advanced Automotive AI Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automotive-ai-technology.md) - [Autonomous Road-Assessing Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lane-monitoring.md)