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The drive for the future The drive for the future
(4 days later)
By Ian Hardy Reporter, BBC ClickBy Ian Hardy Reporter, BBC Click
Name almost any Californian big time tech company - such as Google, Yahoo or Sun - and the chances are good that its roots are in Stanford University in Silicon Valley.Name almost any Californian big time tech company - such as Google, Yahoo or Sun - and the chances are good that its roots are in Stanford University in Silicon Valley.
The cars have no human driver and no remote control system - everything from sensors to navigation is handled by an on board computerThe cars have no human driver and no remote control system - everything from sensors to navigation is handled by an on board computer
Every year Stanford admits about 15,000 students - just over half are post graduate - and some of the brightest minds in the world. Every year Stanford admits about 15,000 students - just over half are postgraduates - and some of the brightest minds in the world.
A few will become household names in a decade or less. And it all comes down to the professors who challenge, push, question and encourage new ideas.A few will become household names in a decade or less. And it all comes down to the professors who challenge, push, question and encourage new ideas.
For all its cutting edge technology, Stanford University is also steeped in history.For all its cutting edge technology, Stanford University is also steeped in history.
It opened in 1891 and the grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted - the same man who planned New York's Central Park.It opened in 1891 and the grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted - the same man who planned New York's Central Park.
But despite that long history, many of the academics and researchers at the University have their eyes set firmly on the future.But despite that long history, many of the academics and researchers at the University have their eyes set firmly on the future.
Driverless carsDriverless cars
For instance, Professor Sebastian Thrun, director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, wants to cut the number of cars on planet earth by 50%.For instance, Professor Sebastian Thrun, director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, wants to cut the number of cars on planet earth by 50%.
Professor Thrun is a leader in the field of driverless carsProfessor Thrun is a leader in the field of driverless cars
He said: "Today we have about 60 million cars worldwide. It turns out almost every car is parked at any point in time. He said: "Today we have about 600 million cars worldwide. It turns out almost every car is parked at any point in time.
"It's a huge waste of money and resources to do so - we use cars about 3% of the time."It's a huge waste of money and resources to do so - we use cars about 3% of the time.
"Just imagine in the future you pull up your smart phone and you say, (using GPS) I need a car now. And around the corner comes your car.""Just imagine in the future you pull up your smart phone and you say, (using GPS) I need a car now. And around the corner comes your car."
Professor Thrun is a leader in the field of driverless cars and has built two robotic vehicles called Stanley and Junior.Professor Thrun is a leader in the field of driverless cars and has built two robotic vehicles called Stanley and Junior.
The cars have no human driver and no remote control system - everything from sensors to navigation is handled by an onboard computer.The cars have no human driver and no remote control system - everything from sensors to navigation is handled by an onboard computer.
They were both entered into the DARPA Grand Challenge - a race for autonomous vehicles. Stanley won in 2004 and Junior took second place in 2007.They were both entered into the DARPA Grand Challenge - a race for autonomous vehicles. Stanley won in 2004 and Junior took second place in 2007.
But the ultimate goal is to create a world where self-aware vehicles can drive passengers around without hitting pedestrians or bumping into other vehicles.But the ultimate goal is to create a world where self-aware vehicles can drive passengers around without hitting pedestrians or bumping into other vehicles.
"To be able to understand the environment as deep as humans do is the holy grail of artificial intelligence."To be able to understand the environment as deep as humans do is the holy grail of artificial intelligence.
"It's a huge amount of work to make computers understand what is the behaviour of the two people on the right, both waiting at an intersection - will they walk or not? It is a really hard question.""It's a huge amount of work to make computers understand what is the behaviour of the two people on the right, both waiting at an intersection - will they walk or not? It is a really hard question."
Perfect missionsPerfect missions
The next step is a self-piloted aircraft. Researchers at Stanford are trying to program helicopters to fly perfect missions every time including loops. The next step is a self-piloted aircraft. Researchers at Stanford are trying to programme helicopters to fly perfect missions every time including loops.
Researchers are looking to develop an aircraft that doesn't need a pilotResearchers are looking to develop an aircraft that doesn't need a pilot
Imagine, for example, a search and rescue chopper that can descend into a narrow canyon countless times without its rotors ever touching the edges.Imagine, for example, a search and rescue chopper that can descend into a narrow canyon countless times without its rotors ever touching the edges.
Andrew Ng, an associate professor in the Computer Science Department, said it would be very difficult to write software to make a helicopter carry out stunts in the air.Andrew Ng, an associate professor in the Computer Science Department, said it would be very difficult to write software to make a helicopter carry out stunts in the air.
Instead, researchers asked an expert human pilot to demonstrate the stunts. The computer learned from the demonstrations how to fly by itself.Instead, researchers asked an expert human pilot to demonstrate the stunts. The computer learned from the demonstrations how to fly by itself.
It is called apprenticeship learning - the computer figures out what the human pilot is trying to do and then uses algorithms to correct or perfect the manoeuvre.It is called apprenticeship learning - the computer figures out what the human pilot is trying to do and then uses algorithms to correct or perfect the manoeuvre.
The software is also able to take into account random events like updraughts.The software is also able to take into account random events like updraughts.
Professor Ng said: "The accelerometers of the helicopter will feel the force of the wind pushing the helicopter aside and what the helicopter has learned to do is how to adjust the controls to move itself back onto the desired flight path."Professor Ng said: "The accelerometers of the helicopter will feel the force of the wind pushing the helicopter aside and what the helicopter has learned to do is how to adjust the controls to move itself back onto the desired flight path."