A group of researchers has developed neural network algorithms that can work on nano-UAVs weighing as little as 10 g. The nano-UAVs are increasingly useful for monitoring applications, but struggle with complex autonomous operations with multiple objectives.

Rather than using general-purpose high-performance vision processors for autonomous vehicles, Recogni and Renesas have developed an embedded platform, which can deliver up to 2000 TOPS.

A project called Memtonomy at Fraunhofer IESE, Germany, is aiming to tackle the memory storage challenge in driverless vehicles. The constantly growing use of sensors and AI components in driverless cars is creating the need for large amounts of data to be recorded, merged and analysed in real time.

UAV Navigation has launched a next-generation ground station that is designed to handle multiple types of UAVs, including those for maritime missions. The GCS is based around the GHU-100, a new ground control hub that helps platform manufacturers connect multiple ground devices such as the PC, data links and joystick controllers, and forms a single network segment.

Researchers at the EPFL in Switzerland have developed algorithms to allow people to take over control of driverless cars more easily. The team has used haptic shared control on the steering wheel to create a different way for the vehicle to interact with the driver.

Simulation firm rFpro has used ray tracing to develop software that can accurately reproduce environments to test sensors in autonomous vehicles. he company develops high-fidelity software for driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulators, and 6 years ago started extending its technology to testing driverless cars.

An electric driverless bus is set to start operating on the city streets of Dunfermline, Scotland. The CAVForth 2 project will use the CAVstar Automated Driving System, which combines sensor fusion for cameras, Lidar and radar with a machine learning system. It was developed by Fusion Processing in Bristol, England.

Flowcopter, in Edinburgh, Scotland, is developing a UAV that can carry up to 160 kg. The 500 kg UAV uses Digital Displacement transmission technology that is much lighter, more robust and less costly than an equivalent electric transmission.

Vehicle systems supplier ZF has developed an autonomous shuttle for SAE Level 4 operation. The shuttle was launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in the US in January, and is designed for autonomous driving in urban environments and mixed traffic, rather than segregated lanes.

An optical coating that combines anti-fogging and anti-reflective properties to boost the performance of Lidar systems and image sensors has been unveiled.