189. Stanford & Toyota Drift Cars With AI

The Next Byte Podcast · 27 Aug 2024 · 21m

What this episode covers

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a collaboration between Stanford University and the Toyota Research Institute, where Professor Christian Gerits' team used AI to achieve autonomous tandem drifting in Toyota Supras. They explain that training neural networks on these extreme boundary cases—specifically the 'feel' of friction and inertia rather than rigid physics models—aims to make Level 3-5 autonomous vehicles safer in unpredictable, low-friction scenarios like icy roads. The hosts highlight the technical details, such as 50Hz route replanning and sensor instrumentation, while noting the technology's potential portability to standard consumer vehicles.

Mentioned

Companies
Stanford University, Toyota Research Institute, Tesla, Waymo, Mouser Electronics
Products
Toyota Supra
Also
Christian Gerits

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