A Bengaluru-based AI startup, Minus Zero, has unveiled its latest product called the zPod, which is claimed to be India’s first driverless autonomous vehicle. The tech firm focuses on developing and distributing autonomous driving tech that can enhance the existing ADAS suite.
zPod is a level 5 autonomous vehicle that is equipped with a camera system that enables the pod to operate in various geographical and environmental conditions without any human intervention.
The zPod can accommodate four people and has a unique seating arrangement where the seats face each other. There are no controls and layouts that are generally found in traditional cars.
Instead, all the driving is handled by the vehicle’s inbuilt AI system, which will analyze the real-time information captured by the six cameras to make informed decisions on the move.
As per Minus Zero, the main objective of this presentation was to demonstrate their capabilities which will aid in decreasing traffic congestion and minimizing road accidents. The zPod uses six AI cameras instead of LIDAR technology, which the leading manufacturers use.
The company also exhibited its True Vision Autonomy concept, which utilizes the camera sensor system to detect and navigate obstacles. Minus Zero states that this concept can be applied to any existing vehicle, whether an EV or an ICE car.
Minus Zero claims that their Nature-inspired AI will solve key problems that are faced by the existing AI systems such as, expensive hardware, extensive data requirements, navigation through complex traffic conditions, etc.
However, Minus Zero has no intentions of launching zPod as a product. According to the AI firm, in the near future, they might launch the zPod in limited numbers to be used in institutions within the confines of a geo-fence, away from public roads.
Minus Zero has made an impressive debut by unveiling their zPod autonomous driving concept. With the potential to achieve level 5 autonomy, the zPod opens doors to a future where self-driving technology can be adapted to existing vehicles.
In a country like India, the diverse traffic conditions, infrastructure limitations, unpredictable road behaviors, and inadequate road signage pose significant obstacles for autonomous vehicles. We hope this will change in the future and make way for disruptive life-enhancing techs.
