Michael Keaton ‘Didn’t Care’ When Batgirl Got Canceled
- August 19, 2024
He got a “big, fun, nice check,” for putting the Batman cowl back on, whether anyone else got to see it or not.
What did Prince Harry and Meghan’s Colombia trip achieve?
- August 19, 2024
The couple’s South America visit was an attempt to still show their influence on the world stage.
Ruth Johnson Colvin, Champion of Literacy, Is Dead at 107
- August 19, 2024
Working out of her basement, and with no teaching experience, she created a nonprofit that helped people around the world learn to read.
7 Best Soccer Bags to Get Your Gear to the Pitch, Approved by Pros
- August 19, 2024
The best soccer bag brings style and function to the pitch — our picks do just that.
Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous fleet has fewer sensors ‘without compromising safety’
- August 19, 2024
Alphabet-owned Waymo unveiled its sixth-generation Driver system on Monday with a more efficient sensor setup. Despite having a reduced camera and LiDAR sensor count from the current platform, the self-driving ride’s new setup allegedly maintains safety levels. Once it’s ready for public rides, it will coexist with the current-gen lineup.
CNBC reports that the new system is built into Geely Zeekr electric vehicles. Waymo first said it would work with the Chinese EV maker in late 2021. The new platform’s rides are boxier than the current-gen lineup, built on Jaguar I-PACE SUVs. The Zeekr-built sixth-gen fleet is reportedly better for accessibility, including a lower step, higher ceiling and more legroom — with roughly the same overall footprint as the Jaguar-based lineup.
The sixth-gen Waymo Driver reduced its camera count from 29 to 13 and its LiDAR sensors from five to four. Alphabet says they work together with overlapping fields of view and safety-focused redundancies that let it perform better in various weather conditions. The company claims the new platform’s field of view extends up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) in daytime and nighttime and “a range of” weather conditions.
Waymo
Waymo says the new system has a modular aspect, allowing it to “swap out various sensing components to match the specific conditions of each operating environment,” like more stringent sensor cleaning for vehicles in colder cities. CNBC clarified that the cleaning system includes wipers that can clear most dirt and moisture.
The company says the sixth-gen Driver performs reliably even in extreme heat, fog, rain and hail, thanks to “regular road trips to newer cities.” That makes sense, given that its currently approved cities are all in relatively clear and dry climates. (CNBC reports that Waymo tested it in Detroit, Buffalo and NYC.) Currently, Waymo only operates in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin. After launching in 2018, the company’s fleet serves around 50,000 paid autonomous trips weekly.
Waymo says the new generation already has thousands of miles of real-world driving experience (and “millions more” in simulations). The company expects it to be ready for consumers sooner than previous models — about half the time — thanks to learning from the system’s “shared knowledge” from its previous generations.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/waymos-sixth-generation-autonomous-fleet-has-fewer-sensors-without-compromising-safety-175339320.html?src=rss
Texas judge who bought Tesla stock won’t recuse himself from X v. Media Matters
- August 19, 2024
Judge dismisses Tesla/X link, accuses Media Matters of seeking “backdoor recusal.”
The 9 Best Hoverboards of 2024, According to Editors
- August 19, 2024
Shades on. Headphones in. Lean forward. Roll.
The Best Hearing Aids of 2024, Reviewed by Experts
- August 19, 2024
These WIRED-tested and audiologist-approved devices will help you hear sounds more clearly. Never miss out on a dinner conversation again.
Final Fantasy XVI is coming to PC on September 17
- August 19, 2024
PC gamers have had to bide their time for the long-promised port of Final Fantasy XVI to hit their preferred platform, but the wait is almost over. The action RPG will hit Steam and the Epic Games Store on September 17. Both paid expansions, which are included in the complete edition, will be available on the same day.
Until now, the game has only been available on PlayStation 5. PC players can get a taste of what’s in store for them right now by checking out a demo that just went live on Steam and the Epic store.
Final Fantasy XVI forged a new path for the series by switching up the classic turn-based combat and opting for more action and hack-and-slash fighting. This helped make the game more approachable for those who don’t much care for the more tactics-based format, but the shift rankled some long-time fans.
In any case, Final Fantasy XVI is fun, though it's relatively easy. The cast deliver strong performances and the massive boss battles mesh well with the epic cinematic scope. The combat system, which is based on elemental attacks, helps make your fights look exciting too.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/final-fantasy-xvi-is-coming-to-pc-on-september-17-172824223.html?src=rss
Rocket Lab entered “hero mode” to finish Mars probes—now it’s up to Blue Origin
- August 19, 2024
In order to send NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars, Blue Origin must launch in September or October.
