# 13. AlphaFold Solves Protein Folding, NASA Protects Firefighters, Autonomous Shuttles Debut In Denmark

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2021-04-13
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttles-debut-in-denmark-h5zXzEjf

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and For Bode discuss three distinct engineering breakthroughs: DeepMind's AlphaFold algorithm solving the protein folding problem with 90% accuracy, a NASA JPL and DHS partnership using magneto-quasi-static (MQS) fields to track firefighters indoors, and Nobina's debut of autonomous electric shuttles in Denmark to solve last-mile transit issues.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=0) Introduction and AlphaFold Overview
- [2:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=135) AlphaFold's CASP Competition Success
- [5:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=348) AlphaFold Applications in Drug Discovery
- [6:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=379) NASA and DHS Firefighter Tracking System
- [7:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=468) MQS Technology and Accuracy
- [10:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=607) Nobina Autonomous Shuttles in Denmark
- [13:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-13-13-alphafold-solves-protein-folding-nasa-protects-firefighters-autonomous-shuttl#t=797) Last-Mile Transit and Urban Planning

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- AlphaFold (product)
- DeepMind (company)
- NASA JPL (company)
- Department of Homeland Security (company)
- Nobina (company)
- DTU (company)
- Starship Technologies (company)
- Lyme (company)
- Bird (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Tangram launches new HiFi 3D sensor; Next Generation Robotics on the cutting edge of optimization](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-11-21-tangram-launches-new-hifi-3d-sensor-next-generation-robotics-on-the-cutting-edge) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [FedEx's parcel-handling robots; Waymo & Fiat; MassRobotics on startups dealing with COVID-19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Airports test self-driving passenger pods; Chili's pauses robotics pilot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Ep 215: Autonomous Race Car, Espresso Robot, and Vintage Computers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-21-ep-215-autonomous-race-car-espresso-robot-and-vintage-computers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 126: Cable 3D-Scanner, Tesla Charger Robot, Ultrasonic Anemometer, and a Zoetrope](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-07-09-ep-126-cable-3d-scanner-tesla-charger-robot-ultrasonic-anemometer-and-a-zoetrope) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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