Nissan's robot cars mimic fish to avoid crashing
(Credit:
Nissan)
Nissan has developed a mini robotic car that can move autonomously in groups while avoiding crashing into obstacles (including other cars).
The Eporo, Nissan says, is the first robot car designed to move in a group by sharing its position and other information. The aim is to incorporate the technology into passenger cars to reduce accidents and traffic jams.
Although a group of Eporos may look like a gang of cybernetic Jawa, Nissan says the cars' design was inspired by the way fish move in schools.
An evolution of the bumblebee-inspired BR23C robot car unveiled last year, the Eporo uses Nissan's collision avoidance technology to travel in groups. Check out BR23C trying to get away from a Japanese lady in this video.
Eporo can dodge obstacles just like fish.
(Credit: Nissan)The automaker studied how large schools of fish can move without colliding. It says Eporo imitates three rules of fish movement: avoiding crashes, traveling side by side, and keeping close to other members of the school.
The robots use laser range finders and ultra-wideband radio to determine distance to obstacles. They also communicate with each other to form the most efficient group formation to maneuver through tight spots.
Eporo stands for "Episode O (Zero) Robot." That zinger of a mouthful means zero episodes, as in zero accidents and zero emissions.
Nissan intends to show off Eporo at the Ceatec trade show next week in Tokyo.
Crave freelancer Tim Hornyak is the author of "Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots." He has been writing about Japanese culture and technology for a decade. E-mail Tim. 
The technology is awesome, but the thought of how much more lazy people will get as a result just makes me shiver.
Nice idea an we probably capable of getting these things on the road in the next few years. Unfortunately it will not happen until insurance issues are overcome.
- by Shamus70 October 7, 2009 6:11 AM PDT
- The insurance isn't even an issue.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(16 Comments)@ ssco00,
good catch, misplaced zero. Thanks for the correction.
I guess 40,000 dead Americans every year is an acceptable lose, right?
That is almost the total number of deaths for the entire Vietnam conflict.
It's only Americas quiet holocaust, why change the way we get around when you can get low low financing, make your credit better by buying a car, be sexier and more confident while stuck in the traffic driving in from the suburbs. Plus while doing so, you get the confidence of knowing your in own personal metal & plastic self expression mobile and the money you spend on gas is supporting people who want to bring down America. Think about that while your spending nine hours a week alone in your car, or are texting and talking the phone endangering everyone around you? hmm, maybe if this car did come along you could still have your own metal and plastic self expression mobile and text your heart out.