The Hindu Business Line : IBM Research working on transport innovations

IBM Research is working on transport innovations for India. Five applications are being worked on: Driver–assist technologies; Intelligent traffic systems using sensor technologies; Advanced mass transit systems connected to mobile phones; Ultra sophisticated voice recognition systems; and Smart airport system.

In the next two years various changes are bound to occur. Cars will be able to sense other cars and avoid hazardous road conditions with driver-assist technologies that will make it possible for automobiles to behave as if they have ‘reflexes.’ Vehicles will exchange information with each other and with the road infrastructure, take corrective action and provide essential feedback to the drivers. “Traffic notifications via cell phone and intelligent traffic systems using sensor technologies are already in limited use, but all of these innovations are being worked on today in IBM’s Research labs,” said Dr Daniel Dias, Director of IBM’s India Research Laboratory, in a release.

Highway and city merging and traffic flow will be smoother and safer and harmful emissions will be reduced. Travellers will get notifications of train and bus delays via cell phone. Using sensors, GPS technology and in-vehicle communications, an innovative transport system will send notifications of train and bus delays, or if an alternative route will be faster or more convenient. The same systems will allow schedulers to make real-time route corrections, making "bus bunching" a thing of the past.

Drivers will be able to converse with their cars; increasingly sophisticated voice recognition systems will allow them to get real-time flight updates, read and respond to e-mails, get directions, avoid accidents, play DVDs or select music through simple, conversational voice commands. Voice recognition navigation and entertainment systems also will allow drivers to adjust cabin temperature or call home while keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Intelligent traffic systems will make real-time adjustments to traffic lights to ease congestion and clear paths for emergency vehicles. New sensor technologies, GPS and satellites will provide info to motorists on the best routes to avoid driving and parking during peak busy hours. Fewer traffic jams will result in cleaner air and safer roads.

Travellers will gain control over route changes and get a better handle on lost luggage. The location of jets, crews and airport gates will be optimised as a smart system "foresees" delays and re-routes passengers before they get stranded at the airport. Kiosks will give travellers control over route changes and a unified airline/airport system will enhance security while dramatically cutting baggage handling errors.

More Stories on : Research & Development | Transport | Information Technology

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
IBM Research working on transport innovations

Intelligroup to step up BPO, services biz

DoT calls meet on frequency allocation

Firstsource Q1 net rises 235%

Surana Tele revenues, net up

Educomp posts Rs 5.9-cr net in Q1

AP to have 3 new IIITs

Ericsson, TI in tie-up

‘High demand for talent in specialised domains’

More a formality than serious screening

Top executives give in to lure of blogs

3DLive on Windows Vista