Self-driving cars get a virtual reality upgrade, but not the fun kind
A UK startup’s game tech is now training robotaxis to avoid real-world chaos.
The story
Rivian acquires a UK startup that uses AI to create 3D worlds, aiming to improve its self-driving technology by simulating real-world driving scenarios.
Source: techcrunch.com
Our reading
Rivian just bought a startup that turns videos into 3D worlds, which is supposed to help them build better self-driving cars. The company’s CEO said they’re excited to focus on ‘one problem’ now, which is presumably not video game development. It’s like a chef buying a bakery to make better bread, but the bread is actually a simulation of a highway. The startup’s tech was originally for games, but now it’s being used to train robotaxis. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder if the real problem was ever the simulation, or just the fact that people still think they need a car to go from point A to point B.
