Apple Shares Self-Driving Research
Apple has posted its first public research about self-driving cars, revealing a new way to use LiDAR technology called VoxelNet.
In theory, the technology would make it easier for autonomous vehicles to determine the location of objects, including things like cyclists and pedestrians, to better avoid them.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has called self-driving cars “the mother of all AI projects,” but the company has yet to disclose Apple’s plans for the technology.
Making the research public suggests that the company is ready to be more forthcoming with its plans, and perhaps seek advice and feedback from other researchers working in the field. The move may also potentially entice potential hires in the autonomous vehicle space to consider joining Apple over its competition.
Read more of the original article at Fortune.
Q&A: Dillon Blake – Shocking Number of Reimbursement Fleets Missing the Mark on Liability Protection and Fuel Cost Control
By Mark Boada, Senior Editor
A surprisingly large – even shocking – number of fleets that reimburse drivers for using their own vehicles for business are leaving themselves open to millions of dollars in accident liability judgments and aren’t keeping a close eye on fuel costs. Those are the two big take-aways from our recent interview with Dillon Blake, senior director of business development at Runzheimer International Ltd., the privately held mobility management company based in Waterford, Wisconsin.
Blake said he finds it “mind-boggling” that more than a third of the fleets the company surveyed for its latest Workforce Mobility Report don’t even have a driver policy in place. Additional report findings:
READ MORE about Runzheimer’s insights into fuel expense and safety management practices and solutions.
The Benefits of Fleet Sustainability Accreditation
Fleet sustainability accreditation from NAFA offers great benefits, and is the best way to prove the reduction of petroleum consumption and your carbon footprint.
The Darker Side of Pokemon Go
In the first 148 days after the Pokémon Go game was released in July 2016, Tippecanoe county in Indiana suffered a total value from injuries, damage, and the two lives lost of between $5.2 million and $25.5 million.
Purdue University economists Mara Faccio and John McConnell combed through accident reports and determined that during those 148 days, 286 additional crashes occurred in the county, compared to the same period before.
"By looking at the numbers, the economists realized that the number of crashes was much higher near pokéstops than gyms, suggesting that the crashes really were caused by people hopping out of cars while playing the game. The increased number of deaths wasn’t just because more people were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pokémon Go was actually causing people to be stupid."
Read more of the original article at The Verge.
Fleet Safety’s Quiet Company, Not So Quiet Anymore
By Art Liggio, President and CEO, Driving Dynamics
Those who follow the Safety & Risk column or read my articles in other publications are aware that I see my role as delivering valuable safety and risk management concepts that readers can put into practice or challenging the norm to help leaders consider new ways to improve their fleets’ safety performance.
However, today I’m taking some latitude to reflect on Driving Dynamics’ journey, express thanks to our outstanding staff, exceptional trainers and valued partners, and to share that this quiet company is stepping into the spotlight to tell its story. Next issue I will be back to sharing ideas on driver risk and safety management!
