2023-03, Tony Heher, Self Driving Cars - Fact or Fiction? 

Synopsis:

There is a lot of hype about self driving cars. What's the reality? The talk will illustrate some of what has been achieved, how far there is to go, and what is available at present.

2022 has been a landmark year as virtually all car manufacturing countries have mandated that Forward Collision Protection systems must be installed in all new cars. Together with Lane Departure Control, these are critical first steps that reduce accidents, save lives and make driving much more pleasant.

The talk will draw on personal experience as an owner of a car with these capabilities for 5 years, plus test driving a number of new models - and 50 years of experience with artificial intelligence.

CV Tony Heher

Did Electrical Engineering at University of Natal followed by a Masters (Cum Laude) at University of Pretoria. This led to a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley to do a PhD. Interrupted by the Viet Nam war and a second child (a long story...), did a cross-discipline masters in electrical and mechanical engineering and computer science - the foundations of artificial intelligence.  Also did a course in Artificial Intelligence in 1971.  Completed PhD in artificial intelligence after returning to South Africa and ran a spin out company based on this for 16 years.  Retained an interest in the field since that first course in 1971 and watched the development of self driving cars with great interest.