This robotic wheelchair has autonomous laser-guided docking - pretty cool for earth-bound tech. Researchers in Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, working with Freedom Sciences of Philadelphia, have retrofitted their system onto commercially available chairs and a Chrysler minivan.
In some ways, the wheelchair has the more difficult task; the autonomous docking system has worked 97.5% of the time even in rain, mist, exhaust fumes, excessive headlight glare and loose gravel.
The wheelchair docking system will go on sale for about $30,000 - much cheaper than an autonomously docking space craft.
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Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
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