Toronto, Ontario — In this week’s EV/AV report, scientists teach cars about social cues, Honda releases a hydrogen and electric based CR-V successor, and the Dutch Lightyear 0 solar vehicle enters production. This is the latest in electric and autonomous vehicles.
Social Faux Pas
German scientists from the city of Karlsruhe have presented a prototype that promises to push the boundaries of autonomous vehicle technology—integrating teaching methods that enable artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize body language cues and adapt their driving accordingly.
According to the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation (IOSB), the algorithm can successfully detect limb positions and draw conclusions from them, such as whether a person intends to wait or cross.
Ultimately, the IOSB aims to develop AI-supported networks that allow communication across multiple road users, thereby integrating automated vehicles in mixed traffic situations.
Sustainable Gases
Honda will be releasing a successor to the CR-V crossover, integrating hydrogen fuel and electric vehicle batteries into an automobile suitable for future carbon-neutral economies.
At a press conference in Marysville, Ohio, this fuel cell EV is planned for release in 2024, in preparation for laws that may ban carbon-positive vehicles by 2035 in Europe and parts of North America.
While more expensive and in shorter supply than EV charging stations, hydrogen fuel cells can be refueled in less than five minutes and travel longer distances.
Self-fueling Investments
Summer enjoyers, rejoice! Production of the solar powered Lightyear 0 vehicle is underway, promising the ability to generate 43 miles worth of electricity a day—for the price of 250,000 Euros.
At the time of writing, this converts to a sum slightly under $354,800 Canadian dollars—enough for a bungalow in Gatineau or a single-family home in Edmonton.
“Starting production of Lightyear 0, the first solar car, brings us a big step closer to our mission of clean mobility for everyone, everywhere,” said Lightyear CEO, Lex Hoefsloot.
“We may be the first to achieve this, but I certainly hope we aren’t the last.”
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