What the first fatal collision between an autonomous car and a pedestrian reveals about how software reads the road

April 3, 2018

The tragedy of the first person killed by an autonomous vehicle points to a potential vulnerability with the nascent technology now being tested on the open roads: While robo-cars, powered by sophisticated sensors and cameras, can reliably see their surroundings, the software doesn't always understand what it detects.

Explore:Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Robotics Autonomous Vehicles

More than $5M to improve solar storm forecasts

U-Michigan researchers play lead roles in national effort funded by NSF, NASA. | Medium Read

Myofibroblasts can be seen accumulating in the 3d lung connective tissue model even in soft conditions mimicking a healthy lung. Image is stained for cytoskeleton (blue), cell nuclei (yellow), and a marker for myofibroblast activation (alpha-smooth muscle actin, red). Credit: Baker Lab.

New treatments for deadly lung disease could be revealed by 3D modeling

Traditional 2D research may rule out better treatment options. | Medium Read

Urban solar energy: Solar panels for windows hit record 8% efficiency

Transparent solar panels on windows could take a bite out of a building’s electricity needs. | Medium Read

Videos

Simulating aerosolized particles to improve bus safety during COVID-19

Improving construction worker safety with wearable sensors

Flexible, adaptable micro-robots inspired by origami

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Research News

Powering robots: biomorphic batteries could provide 72 times more energy than stand-alone cells

The researchers compare them to fat deposits in living creatures. | Medium Read

$1.8M DARPA project aims to protect cars, trucks and spacecraft from hackers | Medium Read

A new look at an inevitable problem: muscle loss in aging | Medium Read

The science behind campus bus changes during COVID-19 | Medium Read

Campus & Community

Lissa MacVean, a lecturer in civil and environmental engineering, teaches her graduate course outside. Photo by Joseph Xu

Caution and connection in in-person classes during COVID-19

Faculty members and students share their perspectives. | Medium Read

New associate deans of academic affairs and research named | Short Read

Emergency fund fills in gaps for students during pandemic | Medium Read

Engineering course challenges students to create tech solutions for COVID-19 | Long Read

Faculty Perspectives

School bus safety during the COVID-19 pandemic: 8 recommendations

In The Conversation, Capecelatro offers suggestions like keeping windows open, shorter trips and below half-capacity seating on public buses. | Short Read

The pandemic has revealed the cracks in US manufacturing: Here’s how to fix them | Short Read

Advanced mobility is about more than technology. Our workforce should reflect that. | Short Read

Before we put $100 billion in AI | Short Read

In the News

The New York Times August 31, 2020

Humans take a step closer to ‘flying cars’

Professor of Aerospace Engineering Ella Atkins tells New York Times that eVTOL machines will have mixed applications, being more efficient than helicopters but less efficient than cars.

The New York Times August 31, 2020

Looking to reopen, colleges become labs for coronavirus tests and tracking apps

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Krista Wigginton tells New York Times that universities are working to find new tools to help them track and curb the spread of COVID-19 on campuses.

Detroit News August 14, 2020

Detroit-to-Ann Arbor self-driving vehicle corridor aims for national leadership