Lifeboat Foundation

A remarkable machine propelled by ionic wind could signal a future with cleaner aeroplanes.

Researchers fly the first atmospheric aircraft to use space-proven ionic thrust technology.

• By Angus Chen on November 21, 2018

Is it a bird? A plane? No — it’s a galaxy. Take a closer look: https://go.nasa.gov/2FypUZL

For the first time, Virgin Orbit has strapped its 21-meter rocket to a modified 747 aircraft and taken to the skies. The company performed this “captive-carry” test flight on Sunday in Victorville, located to the northeast of Los Angeles.

“The vehicles flew like a dream today,” Virgin Orbit Chief Pilot Kelly Latimer said in a news release. “Everyone on the flight crew and all of our colleagues on the ground were extremely happy with the data we saw from the instruments on-board the aircraft, in the pylon, and on the rocket itself. From my perspective in the cockpit, the vehicles handled incredibly well, and perfectly matched what we’ve trained for in the simulators.”

What’s one way to prevent a traffic jam? Self-driving cars may have an answer:

Artificial intelligence–powered cars can put the brakes on stop-and-go traffic.

Misalignment between our goals and the machine’s

Part of what humans value in AI-powered machines is their efficiency and effectiveness. But, if we aren’t clear with the goals we set for AI machines, it could be dangerous if a machine isn’t armed with the same goals we have. For example, a command to “Get me to the airport as quickly as possible” might have dire consequences. Without specifying that the rules of the road must be respected because we value human life, a machine could quite effectively accomplish its goal of getting you to the airport as quickly as possible and do literally what you asked, but leave behind a trail of accidents.

Discrimination.

Continue reading “Is Artificial Intelligence Dangerous? 6 AI Risks Everyone Should Know About” »

A new kind of solar cell called a perovskite is improving rapidly, bringing the prospect of solar-powered vehicles, clothing, and windows closer to reality.

It can fly from London to New York in THREE HOURS 🤯.

The rumors about the VW and Ford electric car partnership are still alive as Volkswagen’s CEO “identified other potential cooperation” outside of just commercial vehicles.