Important Innovations

  Purchase is About Technology for Autonomous Cars                                             Source:  Boston Dynamics $1.1 Billion Deal South Korean automaker Hyundai has purchased from Japan's Softbank the majority stake in robotics company Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion.  Boston Dynamics is a cutting edge robotics firm and world famous for its robot dog Spot.  Hyundai is making the purchase to advance its autonomous technology for self-driving cars. Multi-tasking Spot Spot is a highly advanced, semi-autonomous, 4 legged robot that works around the world in many capacities.  It is on duty in many hospitals to help minimize medical staff exposure to COVID.  Spot works on construction sites, factory floors, on oil rigs and can even serve as a personal companion that opens the door or a bottle of coke.  Now, its robotic technology will empower autonomous vehicles.  Experts say Spot's robotic technology may also enable the smart factories of the future and innovative, new tech

Martti of Finland Scientists at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland have developed the 1st robotic car that can safely drive on snow and ice covered roads.  It's fully autonomous, can go up to 25 mph and is called Martti.  Martti is a research vehicle on the chassis of a VW Touareg. Martti's Loaded with Tech Martti's equipped with advanced sensors, laser scanners, antennas and cameras.  It's designed for very demanding weather conditions.  It has 3 laser sensors sensing the environment in front of the car. Rigorous Testing The Finnish scientists have put Martti through rigorous road testing conditions.  They believe it set a new world record for fully automated driving doing 25 mph in a snowstorm on fully snow and ice covered roads where you couldn't see lane markings.  The vehicle can travel faster but is programmed not to go over 25 mph in test drives. Alternative Winter Commuting  This vehicle paves the way for an alternative source of winter