Self-driving cars process a tremendous amount of data to pilot themselves through crowded streets. That computing power needs electricity, and lots of it.
Different modes of transportation pose different engineering problems. One such engineering problem tis how much power self-driving cars use. In the old days, self-driving cars needed extra space and power to hold the computers and monitors they carried. "Today's self-drivers don't need extra engines, but they still use terrific amounts of power to run their onboard sensors and do all the calculations needed to analyze the world and make driving decisions," Jack Stewart reports in Wired.
Why does this matter? Besides using electricity, which can come from sources that release carbon and air pollution, it can also limit the range of vehicles. It's an issue many are looking to tackle. "At CES last month, Nvidia put the spotlight on a new processor designed specifically for autonomous vehicles, called Xavier. It has an eight-core CPU and 512-core GPU, a deep learning accelerator, computer vision accelerators, and 8K video processors," Stewart reports. But even this powerful processor is likely not enough to run a fully autonomous vehicle.
If processors don't become more efficient, they will have another problem beyond limited range: the vehicles could become hot. "That heat is wasted energy, and it’s also not something you want in your car on a hot day. Some robocar prototypes need water-cooling with hoses and radiators, which eat up even more space," Stewart writes.
FULL STORY: Self-Driving Cars Use Crazy Amounts of Power, And It's Becoming A Problem
Ten Urban Success Stories From 2021
Still battling a global pandemic and its widespread economic and social effects, cities nevertheless made progress in some unexpected ways.
The Ethics of Autonomous Car Testing
In the wake of multiple fatal crashes involving Tesla's self-driving mode, ethicists suggest the need for a robust set of regulations governing the testing of AVs before more of them hit the road.
The High Cost of Cool Air
Air conditioning has drastically changed modern life and the ways cities have developed. But, the environmental consequences are immense, and it’s time to cut back.
In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.
Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.
Transforming Downtowns Into Functional Neighborhoods
Rather than ‘monofunctional’ business districts or urban playgrounds, American downtown districts could become multipurpose neighborhoods.
An Equity Approach to Lead Pipe Replacement
A former Chicago health commissioner calls on governments to prioritize the most marginalized and historically disinvested communities when distributing funding to replace lead pipes, which have taken the highest toll on the health of disadvantaged c
Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power
A recent ruling ‘dramatically’ restricts the law’s reach when it comes to protecting wetlands.
Albany Freeway Ramp Reimagined as Park, Trail
An underused freeway exit ramp is now an inviting linear park that connects the city to the Hudson River.
City of Bellevue
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Code Studio
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Knox County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
