“In one of the first pieces of documentation proving Apple’s investigation into autonomous vehicles, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday published a patent application describing a basic collision avoidance system that could one day serve as the underpinnings of a self-driving car telemetry solution,” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
“Apple’s patent application for ‘Collision Avoidance Of Arbitrary Polygonal Obstacles,’ offers proof that the company is investigating the application of machine learning and computer vision to autonomous ‘agents’ (vehicles),” Campbell reports.
“Designed for robotics — a field from which autonomous cars emerged — the disclosed systems and methods detail a basic collision avoidance technique capable of successfully navigating an environment without prior knowledge of the objects within,” Campbell reports. “In particular, the system is able to operate in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional space, often a difficult task for computer vision systems.”
Read more, and see Apple patent application illustrations, in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We can’t wait fore the road test spy shots!
SEE ALSO:
Inside the secret meeting where Apple revealed the state of its AI research – December 7, 2016
What does Apple get for $10 billion of R&D? – October 28, 2016
Apple employs Artificial Intelligence guru from university that taught computers to ‘defeat humans’ – October 19, 2016
New hire could be critical step toward attracting high-profile AI research talent to Apple – October 18, 2016
Apple hires a big brain in AI to smarten up Siri – October 17, 2016
Apple transforms Turi into dedicated machine learning division to build future product features – August 31, 2016
An exclusive inside look at how artificial intelligence and machine learning work at Apple – August 24, 2016
Apple rumored to be taking big piece of Seattle-area office market in expansion – August 12, 2016
Why Apple will become a leader in artificial intelligence – August 8, 2016
Apple buys machine-learning startup Turi for $200 million – August 6, 2016
Apple touts Artificial Intelligence in iOS and opens ‘crown jewels’ to developers – June 14, 2016
Smartphones to die out within five years, replaced by artificial intelligence – survey – December 9, 2015
Apple’s extreme secrecy retarding its artificial intelligence work – October 30, 2015
Apple hires NVIDIA’s artificial intelligence director – October 24, 2015
Apple acquires advanced artificial intelligence startup Perceptio – October 5, 2015
Apple buys artificial intelligence natural language start-up VocalIQ – October 2, 2015
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
In particular, the system is able to operate in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional space…”
In 3-dimensions allows for self-FLYING agents, such as drones, to avoid collisions with power wires, windmills, and other aircraft.
Also, avoidance of low bridges and other objects for large and out-sized vehicles, like autonomous tractor-trailer rigs.
Let’s hope Apple has beefed up its legal department with enough defense attorneys for the oncoming lawsuits attempting to take Apple for all it is worth.
There are 3 ways to provide safe autonomous vehicles:
1) operate only in controlled environments — see factory automation
2) limit operation capability such that the vehicle is so slow or flimsy it can’t hurt anyone — see consumer toys
3) make it so expensive that practically nobody can buy it — see aviation
Otherwise, autonomous vehicles will eventually have safety and litigation issues of one kind or another. I don’t see how Apple has the magic bullet to get around any of the above constraints, so it better be prepared for the greedy lawyers going after them.