Science Daily January 17, 2023 For detecting a potential collision at night to alert the driver or, maneuvering system of an autonomous vehicle, current technologies utilize resource draining and expensive solutions such as LiDAR or image sensors coupled with extensive software running sophisticated algorithms. In contrast, insects perform the same task of collision detection with frugal neural resources. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have shown that insect-inspired collision detection algorithms, when implemented in conjunction with in-sensor processing and enabled by innovative optoelectronic integrated circuits based on atomically thin and photosensitive memtransistor technology, can greatly simplify collision detection at night. The […]
Category Archives: Collision avoidance
Swarming locusts inspire new collision detector
Physics World September 7, 2020 Collision avoidance models based on image processing algorithms have been implemented using analogue very-large-scale-integration designs, but none is as efficient as this neuron in terms of energy consumption or size. The lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) neuron in locusts can detect an approaching object and prevent collisions within a swarm of millions of locusts. This single neuronal cell performs nonlinear mathematical operations on visual stimuli to elicit an escape response with minimal energy expenditure. An international team of researchers (USA – Pennsylvania State University, India) developed a nanoscale collision detector that mimics the escape response […]