# 132. Blind Spot Begone! Cars and Robots Can Now See Around Corners

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-07-25
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners-Oe9eHQq1

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a computer vision technique called Orca, developed by researchers from MIT and Rice University, which allows autonomous vehicles and robots to see around corners by analyzing reflections. The system uses a 5D decomposition of light intensity and vector to reconstruct 3D geometry from shiny objects like coffee mugs, turning a traditional vision weakness into a superpower for navigation and mapping.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=0) Introduction: MIT and Rice University's Reflection Vision
- [1:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=99) The Problem: Blind Spots in Autonomous Navigation
- [4:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=295) The Solution: Orca and 5D Radiance Fields
- [6:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=389) Geometry and Light: The Secret Sauce
- [8:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=535) Comparison to Previous Methods and Color Perception
- [11:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=705) Future Applications: Drones, Mapping, and Shadows
- [16:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-25-132-blind-spot-begone-cars-and-robots-can-now-see-around-corners#t=1001) ELI5 Summary and Outro

## 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)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- MIT (company)
- Rice University (company)
- Orca (other)
- Wevolver (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 133: Caustic Lenses, Not Ice-Cream Automation, Archery Mech Suit, and the Cheapest Robot Arm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-08-27-ep-133-caustic-lenses-not-ice-cream-automation-archery-mech-suit-and-the-cheapes) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 142: 65 Days of Airtime, Racecars Staring at the Ceiling, a Pushy White Cane, and Soapy Water Rockets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-10-29-ep-142-65-days-of-airtime-racecars-staring-at-the-ceiling-a-pushy-white-cane-and) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [State of robotic perception with RGo Robotics' Amir Bousani](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-05-27-state-of-robotic-perception-with-rgo-robotics-amir-bousani) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode Four - Robot Senses: perceiving the world](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2021-01-29-episode-four-robot-senses-perceiving-the-world) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Twenty-Nine: Sina Sareh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-12-09-episode-twenty-nine-sina-sareh) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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