Robotics startup launches ‘the people’s autonomous vehicle’ at $40k
The DragonFly Pod, says the company, is the first autonomous vehicle to combine patented vision-based sensor fusion with a patented modular computing system to provide a safe and reliable method of transport in low-speed environments. With a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, the vehicle is initially equipped for corporate and university campuses and areas with limited traffic to transport employees and goods.
According to the company, following technology enhancements it will be able to deploy vehicles suited for high-speed scenarios.
“At PerceptIn, we’re dedicated to uncovering the potential of robotization,” says Dr. Shaoshan Liu, Founder and Chairman of PerceptIn. “To do this successfully, you have to solve for the challenge of robotic perception.”
“Through sophisticated engineering, the robot can see and understand the world around it to know precisely where it is regardless if a GPS signal is blocked,” says Liu. “With our engineering team’s expertise in artificial intelligence, system integration, hardware engineering, and optics, PerceptIn has essentially built the ‘eye’ for robots and implemented our product, the DragonFly Pod.”
With the DragonFly Pod, the company says it has developed a method for modularizing key components of autonomous vehicles (AVs) so that even individuals with a limited engineering background can easily integrate five or six components to build their own autonomous vehicle.
“Our lego-like approach is more than just about encouraging people to have fun building their own AVs,” says Liu. “When people think of AVs, they often think of cars on the road. But there are so many other applications. A farmer, for instance, can use the resources and knowledge we provide in our textbook, community, and comic book style manuals on how to build his or her own autonomous machine for his farm.”
“At PerceptIn, our vision hasn’t been to just create a great technology company that could make robotization ubiquitous in the form of autonomous vehicles, but to scale the benefits of robotization and autonomous driving to all citizens — including those whose livelihoods will be affected by the coming robotization revolution — and not just to the privileged few.”
The company is currently selecting customers for its pilot program. The DragonFly Pod will be available for purchase in the U.S. in November for $40,000.
Related articles:
Next-gen artificial perception better mimics human vision
Robotics startup unveils self-driving delivery vehicle
Sensor fusion: A critical step on the road to autonomous vehicles
LiDAR platform for mass production of autonomous cars
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
