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Unlocking the value of connected infrastructure for EVs

The Automotive in the Software-Driven Era community, part of the DRIVE-A initiative, has identified six key actions crucial for unlocking the full potential of smart road transport infrastructure and, with that, for reaping the potential benefits of the software-defined-vehicle ecosystem. These six actions are based on three principles, collaboration, innovation and efficiency:

Advancing smart infrastructure requires a collaborative effort among involved players. Figure 2, below, provides a collaboration framework and key collaborative areas. Public-private partnerships help build a robust, cohesive and inclusive smart infrastructure network.

Paul Farrell, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer of BorgWarner highlights some of the challenges and importance of such collaborations: “Collaboration around the infrastructure is very complex and multidisciplinary. It involves questions about who owns the data, who supplies the hardware, who installs it and who integrates it into holistic solutions. Yet, it is key to, for example, advance the EV charging infrastructure that the transition to electrification requires.”

Silent flight edges closer to reality, new research suggests

Researchers at the University of Bristol have uncovered the secrets behind the quiet operation of futuristic aircraft equipped with innovative embedded engines.

The study sheds light on the noise generation and transmission mechanisms of boundary layer ingesting (BLI) ducted fans. These engines draw in air from both the front and the surface of the aircraft’s body and operate with high efficiency, reducing fuel consumption compared to traditional engines.

Selective language modeling: New method allows for better models with less data

👉 Researchers have developed a method called Selective Language Modeling (SLM), which trains language models more efficiently by focusing on the most relevant tokens.


Researchers introduce a new method called “Selective Language Modeling” that trains language models more efficiently by focusing on the most relevant tokens.

The method leads to significant performance improvements in mathematical tasks, according to a new paper from researchers at Microsoft, Xiamen University, and Tsinghua University. Instead of considering all tokens in a text corpus equally during training as before, Selective Language Modeling (SLM) focuses specifically on the most relevant tokens.

The researchers first analyzed the training dynamics at the token level. They found that the loss for different token types develops very differently during training. Some tokens are learned quickly, others hardly at all.

Kia has the ‘secret sauce’ for affordable EVs in the US

Cheaper electric vehicles are on the way, and Kia believes it has an advantage. With its own “secret sauce,” Kia is moving to launch a series of affordable EVs in the US.

“We’re ahead of most, and we’re trying to rush out ahead because our technology will be more evolved,” Kia America COO Steve Center told Automotive News.

Kia revealed a new range of low-cost EVs during its first annual EV Day in October, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5.

First Anduril’s Ghost Shark Extra-large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle Debuts In Australia

Anduril, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) are pleased to unveil the first Ghost Shark manufactured prototype and announce that the Ghost Shark program is ahead of schedule and on budget. As Anduril moves to deliver an operationally relevant capability within a fraction of traditional defence timelines, early creation and testing of the first Ghost Shark has been critical for rapid learning and iteration. It’s a momentous advancement in the $140M co-development contract between RAN, DSTG and Anduril to design and develop the three ‘Ghost Shark’ extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles (XL-AUV) in three years in Australia. Ghost Shark is a modular, multi-purpose capability that can flexibly respond to the Australian Defence Force’s mission requirements, creating an agile force multiplier for Defence.

Dr Shane Arnott, Senior Vice President Engineering, Anduril Industries said: “Moving at the speed of relevance is Anduril’s signature. For Ghost Shark, we have assembled a unique high-powered engineering team of 121 people from the best-of-Australia, across tech, resources and defence, to fuel this progress. We have 42 Australian companies currently working on Ghost Shark, which is being designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia. We plan to manufacture at scale in Australia for the Royal Australian Navy, and then for export to our allies and partners around the world. Using novel scaled agile development techniques, we are combining both tech and defence sector development practices – and it’s paying big dividends. Ghost Shark is a program that we as Australians can be very proud of.”

David Goodrich OAM, Executive Chairman and CEO Anduril Australia said: “The timeline we set to design and produce three Ghost Sharks in three years in Australia, by Australians for the ADF, was extremely ambitious. I am excited to report that we are ahead of schedule and, importantly for a Defence program, we are on budget. We’re moving incredibly quickly on this program in lockstep with our ASCA, DSTG and the RAN partners. The strategic leadership and innovation insights provided by Prof Tanya Monro, Prof Emily Hilder and Vice Admiral Mark Hammond are key to our success.”

Getting ready for artificial general intelligence with examples

Imagine a world where machines aren’t confined to pre-programmed tasks but operate with human-like autonomy and competence. A world where computer minds pilot self-driving cars, delve into complex scientific research, provide personalized customer service and even explore the unknown.

This is the potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a hypothetical technology that may be poised to revolutionize nearly every aspect of human life and work. While AGI remains theoretical, organizations can take proactive steps to prepare for its arrival by building a robust data infrastructure and fostering a collaborative environment where humans and AI work together seamlessly.

AGI, sometimes referred to as strong AI, is the science-fiction version of artificial intelligence (AI), where artificial machine intelligence achieves human-level learning, perception and cognitive flexibility. But, unlike humans, AGIs don’t experience fatigue or have biological needs and can constantly learn and process information at unimaginable speeds. The prospect of developing synthetic minds that can learn and solve complex problems promises to revolutionize and disrupt many industries as machine intelligence continues to assume tasks once thought the exclusive purview of human intelligence and cognitive abilities.

Tesla’s Risky Move Towards Autonomy and Self-Driving Technology

Tesla’s aggressive push towards autonomy and the development of self-driving technology has the potential to drastically change the automotive industry and disrupt the competition.

Questions to inspire discussion.

What is Tesla’s shift in strategy?
—Tesla is undergoing a shift in strategy towards autonomy and self-driving technology, which may be seen as reactionary to current events but also part of the company’s long-term plan.