Advanced Mobility Institute's Articles

Conceptual Sensors Testing Framework for Autonomous Vehicles

February 8, 2019

Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI) at Florida Polytechnic University publishes a paper on a state-of-the-art sensors testing facility for autonomous vehicles. The conceptual sensors testing framework will address the different types of sensors and communication schemes related to autonomous vehicles and provide a versatile approach to perform testing scenarios in a way similar to what happens in the physical world.  Details  HERE.

Autonomous Vehicles: The Future of Driving and Central Florida’s Economy

January 16, 2019

It’s no secret that the new Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University plays a role in researching autonomous vehicles, or, as most of us know them, driverless cars.But its focus spans much further, researching and testing experimental unmanned and connected systems technology in agriculture, senior-citizen and planned communities, public transportation and more.And that could benefit you and me when we no longer need a car, meaning no car payments, lower insurance rates for those who opt to own a vehicle, and the like. It will take time, but most everyone agrees we’ll get there, especially when attitudes change.Continue Reading here

Driving without drivers: Orlando is rising as a mobility and transportation hub for the future

January 9, 2019

As the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” Orlando has earned a global reputation for bringing futuristic innovation to life. Not only does Orlando’s status as one of the top travel destinations in the world fuel our tourism industry, but it also supports our robust network of technology specialists, engineers, software designers and more who power Orlando’s theme park experiences. With the talent needed to innovate already in place, Orlando officials and local partners are leveraging the region’s theme park expertise to bring a new kind of future technology to life – autonomous vehicles.Continue Reading here

JTA AMI (Press Coverage)

November 29, 2018

- Jacksonville Business Journal - https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/11/29/jta-signs-agreement-for-av-research-and.html- WJCT - http://news.wjct.org/post/jta-joins-florida-polytechnic-university-driverless-vehicle-research- Florida Politics - http://floridapolitics.com/archives/282166-florida-poly-jta-team-up-on-driverless-vehicle-tech- Florida Trend - https://www.floridatrend.com/article/25928/fridays-daily-pulse- Florida Dispensaries - https://fldispensaries.com/florida-poly-jta-team-up-on-driverless-vehicle-tech/- Traffic Technology Today (UK) - http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=93507- Association For Unmanned Vehicle Systems International - https://www.auvsi.org/industry-news/florida-poly-and-jta-partner-enhance-development-autonomous-vehicle-tech-public- Capital Soup - https://capitalsoup.com/2018/11/28/florida-poly-joins-forces-with-jacksonville-transportation-authority-on-self-driving-vehicles/ - Metro Magazine -...

JTA Joins Florida Polytechnic University On Driverless Vehicle Research

November 29, 2018

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is continuing its push into the world of autonomous vehicles with a new alliance.JTA is joining forces with Florida Polytechnic University's Advanced Mobility Institute, which focuses on advancing and testing driverless transportation."AV technology holds great promise for the whole transportation industry, but it's very likely that public transportation will take advantage of it before the generic passenger car marketplace," said Rahul Razdan, senior director for special projects at Florida Poly, located in Lakeland. "At the Advanced Mobility Institute, we pay particular attention to the Florida industries that can absorb this technology earlier."The mutual agreement includes fostering the development of AV technology in downtown areas, university campuses and other controlled settings.Click Here to read the full article on WJCT's website

Autonomous Vehicles | IN FOCUS with Allison Walker Torres

November 4, 2018 Autonomous Vehicles | IN FOCUS with Allison Walker Torres

Part 1Part 2Part 3Would you trust your ride to a computer? Autonomous vehicles might sound futuristic, but they're just about a daily reality. The problem is… are they safe? Can we trust a computer to drive our car for us? SunTrax is located off I-4 between Orlando and Tampa, and is a large-scale, cutting-edge facility dedicated to the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies in safe and controlled environments. We talk about the technology on the horizon, as well as the protections for the consumer that lawmakers say need to be in place.Guests:State Sen. Jeff Brandes (R – St. Petersburg)State Sen. Dennis Baxley (R – Lady Lake), Transportation CommitteeState Rep. Wengay Newton (D – St. Petersburg), Transportation and Infrastructure SubcommitteeDr. Rahul Razdan, Florida Polytechnic University ProfessorMichael Jernigan, Florida Polytechnic University StudentBeth Alden, Executive Director, Hillsborough County MetroPlanEric Hill, Director of...

​Advanced Mobility Institute announcement (Press Coverage)

October 5, 2018

              Florida Polytechnic University Establishes Advanced Mobility InstituteMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCapital Soup Autonomous Car TestingWFTS – ABC Action News Florida Poly Advanced Mobility InstituteBay News 9 Florida Polytechnic adds research program to test autonomous vehicle techTampa Bay Business Journal Florida Poly hopes to change future of transportation with new research centerFox 13 No Hands: Florida Poly to Research Driverless VehiclesFlorida PoliticsAutobody News Florida Poly Delves Into Driverless CarsLakeland Now Florida Polytechnic University launches Advanced Mobility Institute to advance self-driving carsThe Florida Oracle Florida Polytechnic University Hopes to be a Leader with Self Driving CarsSunshine State NewsFlorida Dispensaries & Doctors FL Polytechnic to focus on Self-Driving Cars970 WFLA Florida Poly hopes to improve autonomous carsChron.comGreenwich TimeStamford Advocate Florida Polytechnic University testing autonomous...

The Dangers of Inferior Simulation for Autonomous Vehicles

February 26, 2018

The Dangers of Inferior Simulation for Autonomous Vehicles  by Michael DeKortFirst - it is stellar that folks like Waymo and Uber say they are now using more simulation. That the University of Michigan did a study saying it can be used instead of public shadow driving. And that MCity has said that the use of simulation with data and the Monte Carlo process you can cull the work down by over 99% For More Information:  HERE

Autonomous Vehicle technology and planned communities

February 23, 2018

Autonomous Vehicle technology and planned communities by Jake Polumbo A recent article in Realtor Magazine highlights the excitement around the impact AV technology  will have on planned communities. “Prime real estate will also be unlocked for new home construction. Places once used for parking lots, auto dealerships, and gas stations will become obsolete with self-driving cars. That may free up prime real estate for housing ...Builders will be able to get significantly higher density, and consumers will be buying a home where 100 percent of the square footage is livable,” Rick Palacios, Jr. writes in a Sept. 4 article tiitled “How Driverless Cars will reshape housing?” http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2017/09/05/how-driverless-cars-will-reshape-housing Closer to home, Disney World in Orlando is planning for self-driving busses from hotels to theme parks. Epcot Center was originally envisioned by Walt Disney as the first “smart city” and will likely stay on...

Labor Shortages and Potential for Fuel Savings driving logistics providers toward autonomous vehicle technology

February 22, 2018

​Labor  Shortages and Potential for Fuel Savings driving logistics providers toward autonomous vehicle technology  by Taj ShahramAs we draw closer to a fully autonomous future, new opportunities arise in the field of logistics and transportation to increase mobility, transportation efficiency and safety. To make this happen, the infrastructure of cities has to be redesigned to support self-driving vehicles. Highway planners in Wisconsin are already thinking about the possibility of creating a driverless vehicle lane on I-94 to accommodate Foxconn’s large factory in Racine County.Furthermore, self-driving trucks are planned to be introduced in the market. The trucking industry is currently short 50,000 drivers, because drivers either retire or quit. Self-driving trucks can help solve this problem. Embark, a start-up company, is already hauling Frigidaire refrigerators along I-10 from El Paso, Texas to Palm Spring, California using a self-driving truck, but with a driver on board...

Florida Agriculture embraces Autonomous Vehicle Technology

February 22, 2018

 Florida Agriculture embraces Autonomous Vehicle Technology  by  william rhey and xxxIt’s tempting to overlook agriculture when discussing AV technology. But there are more applications than you might believe. Commercial drones are already in place, using sensors to assess the need for fertilization, irrigation, crop health, crop maturity and productivity potential.  On the horizon are robots capable of monitoring, cultivating and harvesting crops 24/7, with little or no human labor involvement.In the short term, sensors and automation hold promise for Florida agricultural industries long dependent upon troublesome labor politics and economics.   AV related technology will allow surveying, planting, maintaining and harvesting of crops at levels of efficiency never before seen.The dozen[KPM6]  C-level executives attending the Executive Summit were audience to a presentation by Gary Wishnaski, president and CEO of Wishnaski Strawberry Farms in Plant City, Florida.  The company...

Autonomous Vehicle Technology drives pilot projects

February 22, 2018

Autonomous Vehicle Technology drives pilot projects  by Dean Bushey and Rahul Razdan Public Transportation has been one of the most active areas for the use of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies. In fact, one of Florida’s most visible communities (The Villages) just announced the pending availability of autonomous taxi service. Public utilities are viewing AV as a solution to a number of vexing issues such as solving the last mile problem (bus-stop to house) or raising the efficiency of existing fleets or even providing on-demand 24-7 access.     In addition, the pace of pilot projects is accelerating around the world.   Bloomberg Philanthropies keeps these projects up to date on their website.   Some important pilots include Uber’s work with Pittsburgh, and Waymo (Google)’s work in Phoenix.  In Florida, nearly every public authority ranging from JTA to LYNX are considering the use of this technology.   Recent Articles: 11/24/2017 Lyft Gets Approval To Test Self...

Florida Poly Holds AV CEO Summit

February 22, 2018

CEOs Gain Expert Insight on AV TechAutonomous vehicle (AV) technology has the potential to make as significant an impact as the internal combustion engine had for the industrial revolution. AV technology will not only impact the passenger car market, but Florida industries ranging from public transportation to planned communities.  With this in mind, on Oct. 27, 2017[KPM1] , Florida Polytechnic University held a CEO conference on ways Florida Poly can influence and grow [KPM2] four Florida industries absorb and build differentiation based on this disruptive technology. This invitation only event drew over 30 representatives from four sectors — Agriculture, Freight/Logistics, Planned Communities and Public Transportation —to share problems, challenges, opportunities and ideas.    Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent kicked off the event with a brief overview of the state of the University and its commitment to the application of STEM education in the economic development of...

Verifying how AVs behave during accidents

February 22, 2018

Verifying how AVs behave during accidents by Yoav HollanderSummary: This post talks about the somewhat-unpopular topic of how Autonomous Vehicles should behave during (and directly after) unavoidable accidents, and especially how to verify that.AV accidents are clearly going to happen: Even the best driver in the world is not guaranteed to never have accidents. This is largely due to, ahem, all the other idiots out there.I discussed that in my 2106 Stuttgart symposium report, where I said:For more Information:  HERE

On Mobileye’s formal model of AV safety

February 22, 2018

On Mobileye’s formal model of AV safety by Yoav HollanderSummary: This short post talks about Mobileye’s new paper (regarding a formal approach to Autonomous Vehicles safety). It claims that the paper has several issues, but is nevertheless an important start.Mobileye came out with a paper titled “On a Formal Model of Safe and Scalable Self-driving Cars” (Bloomberg coverage, summary paper, full pdf). Their main contribution is a thoughtful, detailed, formal description of AV safety – do take a look.For more information: HERE

Autonomous Vehicle Testing – Where is the Due Diligence?

February 22, 2018

Autonomous Vehicle Testing – Where is the Due Diligence?  by Michael DeKortIs anyone doing or even advocating any minimum level testing? Governments·        Creating Test Cases - State and Local governments are waiting on the Fed’s in DoT. Who are clearly doing very little. A couple of weeks ago the GAO completed an audit of the DoT. The GAO stated that the DoT should be far more organized and actually have a plan moving forward. They stated they should also test AVs for minimum capabilities. The DoT’s response was that they cannot put a plan in place or even create the tests until the various technologies involved are settled.   For more information: HERE

Corner or Edge Cases are not Most Complex or Accident Scenarios

February 22, 2018

Corner or Edge Cases are not Most Complex or Accident Scenarios  by Michael DeKortI am seeing a very disturbing trend. Folks in the autonomous vehicle industry are using the terms “Corner or Edge Cases” to include complex, dangerous and accident scenarios.Here is the Wiki definition of a Corner Case – “In engineering, a corner case (or pathological case) involves a problem or situation that occurs only outside of normal operating parameters—specifically one that manifests itself when multiple environmental variables or conditions are simultaneously at extreme levels, even though each parameter is within the specified range for that parameter.”For more information:  HERE

Autonomous Levels 4 and 5 will not happen without Simulation vs Public Shadow Driving

February 22, 2018

Public Shadow Driving is Dangerous and Untenable. by Michael DeKortThe reason it is not possible to create an autonomous vehicle using that process is that it will take one trillion miles at a cost of over $300B. And those using it will cause thousands of accidents, injuries and casualties when they move from benign scenarios to complex, dangerous and accident scenarios. For more information:  HERE

Self-propelled cars could change the world (Florida Poly in Iceland)

February 22, 2018

​Self-propelled cars could change the world as we know him, says Rahul Razdan, a PhD in computer science. Rahul commented on the issue at a seminar organized by the Engineers Association of Iceland today. Rahul has worked for the creation of launch companies for decades, currently working at the Florida University of Technology. He says the average utilization of passenger cars is only about 5% today. For more information visit (HERE).

Florida Poly President Testifies at US Senate on Autonomous Vehicle Safety

February 22, 2018

                                                                Oral Testimony of Dr. Randy AventSenate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Field Hearing January 24, 2018, 10:00AM Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C.     Mr. Chairman, ranking member Senator Nelson and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to address you today on this very important topic.    As many of you know the vision of driverless cars has been around for well over 50 years, but little progress was made until 2004 when DARPA created a prized competition called the DARPA Grand Challenge.  Since then, there has been an exponential growth in the underlying AV technology that mirrors the development trajectories in other disruptive markets like computing, networking and DNA sequencing.   Today I’d like to briefly touch on three dimensions of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: market impact, technical and regulatory challenges and the...