The US Department of Transportation finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring all vehicle manufacturers to include automatic emergency braking in their light-duty vehicles (basically all passenger vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks) by 2029. The new rule aims to prevent hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries every year. The Department of Transportation is also in the process of finalizing a similar rule for heavy-duty vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds.

Around 90 percent of light-duty vehicles on the road today come standard with automatic emergency braking, or AEB. But the new rule requires automakers to adopt a more robust version of the technology that can stop vehicles traveling at higher speeds and detect vulnerable road users, like cyclists and pedestrians, even at night.

According to the Department of Transportation, all cars are now required to be able to “stop and avoid contact with a vehicle in front of them up to 62 miles per hour and that the systems must detect pedestrians in both daylight and darkness.” Also, AEB systems must apply the brakes automatically “up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, and up to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected.”

Under the new rule, automakers would be required to beef up their current AEB systems, which research has shown to be decent at preventing low-speed rear-end crashes but less effective when vehicles are traveling at fast but still average speeds. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has been testing AEB systems for years and found a variety of common scenarios in which the braking technology completely fails to do the job as advertised.

The new standard comes amid a modest decline in traffic deaths, which spiked during the pandemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 42,514 people died in crashes in 2023, down 3.6 percent from the year before. It was the third year in a row in which more than 40,000 people died in traffic crashes.

Dive into the world of underwater exploration, and you’ll find a new player making waves: HERO-BLUE. This isn’t your average remotely operated vehicle (ROV); it’s an innovative robot designed to tackle the challenges of the depths of the sea with a unique set of skills.

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HERO-BLUE by the numbers

HERO-BLUE is a proof-of-concept robot, measuring 31.5 inches by 23.6 inches by 11.8 inches and weighing 24.9 pounds. It’s remotely controlled, but with its stereoscopic vision, the future could see HERO-BLUE operating autonomously, leading the charge in underwater exploration and research.

HERO-BLUE (POSTECH) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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A new breed of ROV

HERO-BLUE stands for “Hazardous and Extreme Environment Robot for Biomimetic multiLocomotion-based Underwater Expedition.” Developed by Taesik Kim and his team at South Korea’s Pohang University of Science and Technology, this experimental device is inspired by the natural world. HERO-BLUE is equipped to swim, walk and crawl its way through the most challenging environments. The journal IEEE Transactions on Robotics has recently featured a publication detailing the research.

HERO-BLUE (POSTECH) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Swimming against the current

Traditional ROVs rely on electric thrusters to navigate the watery depths. However, these thrusters have limitations – they can get clogged with debris or struggle against strong currents. Enter HERO-BLUE, the robot that’s not just making a splash but is set to revolutionize underwater missions.

HERO-BLUE (POSTECH) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Fin-tastic design

What sets HERO-BLUE apart are its four multimodal fins and two lateral fins. These aren’t just any fins; they’re made of polymer panels connected by elastomer tendons, allowing them to be rigid or flexible as needed. This design enables HERO-BLUE to adapt its movement strategy on the fly – flapping through the water like a fish or walking along the seabed when currents prove too strong.

HERO-BLUE (POSTECH) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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The backbone of innovation

In shallow waters where swimming isn’t feasible, HERO-BLUE’s salamander-inspired spine comes into play. This flexible backbone allows the robot to wriggle forward, ensuring progress even in the trickiest conditions.

HERO-BLUE (POSTECH) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

HERO-BLUE represents a significant leap forward in ROV technology. Its biomimetic design and multimodal locomotion capabilities position it as a potential game-changer for industries relying on underwater exploration and maintenance. As we look to the depths of our oceans for answers, robots like HERO-BLUE will be at the forefront, navigating the uncharted waters of innovation.

What ethical considerations should be taken into account when deploying robots like HERO-BLUE for underwater exploration, especially in sensitive or protected marine areas? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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The Tesla Cybertruck is finally getting an off-road mode via an over-the-air software update, allowing early owners of the monstrous electric truck to finally get granular 4×4-style features that were promised from the start.

The news comes via a post by Tesla’s Cybertruck account on X, which shared an image of the Off-Road Mode screen with different settings, options for locking differentials, the ability to turn off rear steering, and more. Off-Road Mode has two main settings: Overland Mode for consistent handling and better traction on rock, gravel, snow, and sand, plus a Baja Mode that improves balance and “handles more freely.”

Wes Morrill, whose X profile lists them as the lead Cybertruck engineer, also posted some more details about the update. Morrill notes the app allows for a quick look at the vitals of the car, on-board camera feeds you can swipe through, as well as one-touch controls for the off-road features.

Cybertruck owners can even get quick access to Wade Mode that raises the truck to handle deep water situations — which is not covered under warranty despite CEO Elon Musk’s saying for years that the Model S and the Cybertruck can act like a boat for short periods.

Tesla has also launched CyberTent mode, which levels the truck on horizon, runs the AC, keeps the tonneau cover open, and keeps the outlets powered. The feature is designed to work in conjunction with Tesla’s ugly but functional Basecamp tent add-on. Tesla was selling the $3,000 kit to Cybertruck owners for more than a month — before the software to fully utilize it was available.