Humanising Autonomy wants to improve human interaction with automated vehicles
by Startacus Admin
Humanising Autonomy is a startup that's on a mission to improve human interaction with automated vehicles, by building human-centered tools that define how autonomous systems interact with people.
Autonomous cars are coming. In some places, they are already in place. The likes of Tesla say that self-driving cars are the future, and they’re working hard to make that future now. The biggest point of discussion and potential cause for concern about this is, of course, safety. How well will the cars’ AI detect and avoid dangers to the diver, to other drivers, and to pedestrians?
In order to predict possible dangers like a human driver can, the AI will need to understand human behaviour. It will need to understand body language. But making a computer understand a human seems like a somewhat complicated endeavour.
It is an endeavour being undertaken by London-based Humanising Autonomy. The startup is working from Imperial College to teach its software to predict human behaviour by analysing footage of people on London’s streets to see the physical behaviour that accompanies their decision-making.
We can recognise the look of someone thinking about running across the road in front of us and soon, cars will be able to as well. London is one of the best places to do this because, after America, it will likely be one of the first places to adopt self-driving vehicles, but the behaviour of our pedestrians is a little different to that of American pedestrians. Whether it is due to the lack of jaywalking laws or any number of things, the fact seems to be that London pedestrians take more risks on the streets.
Recently, the finalists for the Future Hamburg Award 2019 were announced, and Humanising Autonomy was one of the 10, whittled down from 113 from across Norway, Portugal, Spain, the UK, and Germany. Three of these finalists will go on to boost their business over a period of six months in Hamburg, with a tailored coaching and support programme. And it’s good timing, as they are just graduating from the ScaleUp Hub run by Wayra UK, the Innogy Innovation Hub, and the Transport Systems Catapult.
It goes without saying that when autonomous cars do become the norm, they need to be at least as safe as those driven by humans, if not more so. Systems like that being developed by Humanising Autonomy are absolutely vital, and we can certainly see them driving innovation in this area!
If you like the sound of this startup, you might also want to read up on:
Predina, the startup using machine learning to make a positive social impact, using AI to dynamically predict and prevent road accidents in real-time.
Cazana provides automotive insights for the future of vehicle ownership, using big data and predictive analytics.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
The third-party platform that enables you to anonymously tag, measure, and resolve incidents of bias and harassment in your organisation
The lowdown on Nova, the Liverpool based cofoundery and its latest crowdfunding mission to help it expand in the UK and internationally
The FinTech startup, Freetrade which is on a mission to make it easier than ever to invest in stocks and shares - for free
The latest ways in which leading people and culture platform Culture Amp aim to help organisations manage their diversity and inclusion practices and policies
The lowdown on Imagine Me Stories, the book and activity subscription box aiming to address diversity and empower black children
Petal Plan is our latest startup of the week - a UK startup that is on a mission to innovate how we both buy and receive the gift of flowers
.jpg)
A new Investor Series podcast aims to provides a unique understanding and insight into the minds of some of the UK’s most experienced startup investors.
Whilst mainstream lenders are trying to lose the connotation of payday loans, a wave of fintech are looking to offer complete alternatives.
Atom Learning, the edtech platform that uses AI to transform educational outcomes, doubles headcount as business expands internationally.
News stories talk about startups raising money in different funding rounds – but what do those headlines and stages actually mean?
Published on: 22nd April 2019
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Culture Amp launch Diversity and Inclusion Starter Kit to bring best practices to UK businesses 8th Nov 2019 The latest ways in which leading people and culture platform Culture Amp aim to help organisations manage their diversity and inclusion practices and policies
- Manchester fintech GoodBox hits £2m donated to UK charities 21st Oct 2019 Manchester fintech GoodBox, which helps charities embrace the rise of fintech through digital and contactless payments, have raised over £2m for UK charities.
- Event at Startup Week Dublin to explore startup collaboration between NI and Ireland 11th Oct 2019 With the impact of BREXIT still very much an uncertainty, our evening event at Startup Week Dublin will explore startup collaboration and opportunities between NI and Ireland.
- Startups shaping future of the smart built environment wanted for RElab programme 8th Oct 2019 Tech startups focused on smart buildings and cities, smart grid, construction tech, predictive maintenance, and other tech solutions - take note!
