The vehicle industry is about to turn a corner. Is it heading for the road less travelled? Perhaps. We’re talking about UK-based startup Wayve taking over the steering wheel to reshape autonomous car technology. Co-founders and PhD graduates, Alex Kendall and Amar Shah, have transformed a modest Renault Twizy into an autonomous marvel wheeling around medievally labyrinthine streets independently – and smoothly. Here are the top five takeaways you can’t afford to miss out:
1. The Humble Beginnings
Born as a software platform, Wayve has successfully turned itself into a renowned autonomous vehicle startup. The pioneering minds behind the venture set about redesigning the concept of self-driving using the compact electric Renault Twizy as their maiden model.
2. Shaping the Future with Deep Learning
The Twizy isn’t just a car; it’s an organic canvas for Kendall and Shah’s ambitious tech exploration. They have redefined tech-instincts by building deep-learning algorithms which power the autonomous systems of the car.
3. Navigating Challenges: The Medieval Twist
One thing self-driving vehicles dread? Unconventional paths. Distinctively, Wayve’s autonomous Twizy learned to navigate the complex medieval streets of the UK. This throws light on the unmatched adaptability of the tech that could figure out convoluted routes without any human assistance.
4. The Camera Power
The tech-geniuses did it right in the first go, decking their brainchild with an array of cameras. What wanted to be seen is clear: the vision – the convenience and safety of autonomous driving would broaden spectacularly with an improved camera vision system.
5. A Milestone Promise: The Future of Transport
Wayve’s autonomous car isn’t a one-off venture. It cleverly foreshadows the impending future of the automobile industry. If startups like Wayve continue to drive innovations at this pace, the day isn’t far when autonomous vehicles will not just be a tech-jargon any more. The future of transport is knocking on the door, and it is self-driving.
The autonomous vehicle space is often perceived as a realm confined to tech giants but the journey of Wayve unbuckles this myth. Two PhD graduates, utilizing the potential of deep-learning and using it to power a tiny electric car navigating through labyrinthine paths independently, is foresight come to life. It shows that leveling up the autonomous vehicle scene is not necessarily about size, but foresight, research and determination. For sure, the future holds an interesting run for Wayve and autonomous vehicles in general.
Credit: BBC. TechCrunch, Reuters
