3 ms·
Asphalt surfaces, in general, aren't long-lived and require regular maintenance -- likely, those sensors would be destroyed during maintenance (which almost alw
by bmer 11y ago
Asphalt surfaces, in general, aren't long-lived and require regular maintenance -- likely, those sensors would be destroyed during maintenance (which almost always involves pouring molten asphalt). This means that Google would have probably have to regularly re-install the sensors.
Not sure if it's possible to do that easily, but it might be.
How real-time is their HD satellite imagery?
- ori_b 11y agoDo they need to be sensors? I figure something like a hefty distinctive pattern of nails would be good enough to pick up with magnets. Cheap, easy to plonk down in the middle of a lane as you're pouring asphalt, if there's a pattern it's relatively hard to confuse with debris.
- Animats 11y agoThat's been done, in the form of magnets driven into holes punched in the pavement. Early systems just followed the magnets, but today, they'd just be used as an additional hint. It's quite possible that we'll see those in areas with heavy snow. Volvo has been testing this.[1] One of Volvo's arguments is that magnets are also useful for snowplow guidance. Heavy plows often chew up the infrastructure when snow is heavy enough that the road isn't visible. In some areas, poles are placed alongside roads so the plow drivers can tell where they're supposed to be plowing. Sometimes this works. [1] http://www.gizmag.com/volvo-road-magents-autonomous-cars/31172/ http://www.gizmag.com/volvo-road-magents-autonomous-cars/311...