by Ian Wright
Before a Disney lawyer swoops in like Darth Vader in a TIE fighter behind an unsuspecting X-Wing on a trench run, let's enjoy the R2-D2-style livery on the current prototype Rivian R2. It was shown during Rivian's Autonomy Day presentation, which was about as interesting as a Galactic Senate hearing if cameras, sensors, and processor details mean nothing to you.
But, if the words "Autonomy Compute Module 3 will have 1600 sparse INT8 TOPS," haven't already sent you to sleep, it means the new Rivian Autonomy Processor can process five billion pixels per second. Seriously, that was something actually said during Rivian's tech talk. At least we had the R2-D2 SUV keeping us company.
Don't Use The Force – Use Rivian's Universal Hands-Free System
Rivian is pushing forward with LiDAR while some automakers are trying to make other sensor systems work for cost savings. RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, says that LiDAR is the equivalent of superhuman perception, creating true three-dimensional vision instead of using stereoscopic cameras to infer depth perception. Essentially, the new processor and LiDAR system helps the autonomy system "see" better and make better decisions on how to respond to various situations.
By the sound of it, if the X-Wings attacking the first Death Star had been running the Rivian Autonomy Processor and LiDAR for their targeting computers, the Battle Of Yavin IV would have been over a lot quicker, Luke wouldn't have needed to use the Force, and Porkins would have made it to The Empire Strikes Back. If the system debuts and can handle getting a Rivian through New York or LA traffic, it could certainly slot a couple of proton torpedoes down an exhaust shaft.
Artificial Intelligence Isn't Real
While we are still in a galaxy far, far away from real artificial intelligence, what we call AI right now is advanced machine learning. Our cars are a long way from needing restraining bolts. But, advanced machine learning is getting crazy good for specific applications. What we're becoming familiar with is Large Language Models (LLM) to deal with words, whether typed, heard, or spoken. However, more specialized models are becoming useful.
To boil it down beyond simplicity, an AI model needs to be taught. And AI that has been taught through language can write you an essay for college, come up with some code for a new app, or advise you to use gasoline to cook spaghetti faster. But it isn't ideal for driving a car around. So, Rivian has developed what it calls a Large Driving Model (LDM).
If Rivian hasn't developed a conversation agent for the cockpit to go alongside its LDM that just whistles and beeps back at you, then Rivian is either missing a trick or afraid of Disney's Star Wars legal team paying a visit – always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
