Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:06,768 --> 00:00:09,171
[narrator] On this episode
of How Tech Works...
2
00:00:09,505 --> 00:00:11,507
we get exclusive access
3
00:00:11,773 --> 00:00:14,109
to the latest
military transport vehicle.
4
00:00:14,176 --> 00:00:16,445
It's as versatile
as a passenger van,
5
00:00:16,512 --> 00:00:18,981
but it's built for the skies,
not the suburbs.
6
00:00:19,681 --> 00:00:22,985
And, we'll meet a robot
that can predict exactly
7
00:00:23,051 --> 00:00:24,686
where a moving object will land.
8
00:00:25,153 --> 00:00:26,622
Sounds like
a cricketer's dream.
9
00:00:28,624 --> 00:00:31,660
[show intro]
10
00:00:34,096 --> 00:00:36,899
[futuristic music]
11
00:00:41,370 --> 00:00:43,639
Hello there!
I'm Dr. Basil Singer
12
00:00:43,805 --> 00:00:46,875
and you won't want to be
anywhere but right here
13
00:00:46,975 --> 00:00:49,144
for the next half hour,
as we explore
14
00:00:49,211 --> 00:00:52,114
the latest advances
in science and technology,
15
00:00:52,281 --> 00:00:55,117
and awesome robots that
do cool things.
16
00:00:55,184 --> 00:00:58,453
I'm talking a real,
life-sized robot car
17
00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,057
that can drive itself,
down the Autobahn!
18
00:01:02,124 --> 00:01:04,860
And, I'm talking
a vertical wind tunnel
19
00:01:04,993 --> 00:01:07,796
that lets you skydive indoors!
20
00:01:07,963 --> 00:01:09,064
But first...
21
00:01:09,131 --> 00:01:12,534
We here at How Tech Works
like things that are big.
22
00:01:12,868 --> 00:01:14,136
Really, really big.
23
00:01:14,503 --> 00:01:17,172
So we thought we'd take off
with a massive plane
24
00:01:17,239 --> 00:01:18,640
from Seville, in Spain.
25
00:01:19,007 --> 00:01:21,476
It's called the Airbus A400M,
26
00:01:21,677 --> 00:01:24,947
and it's one of the world's
biggest air transport planes.
27
00:01:25,414 --> 00:01:27,883
Here's our exclusive
behind-the-scenes tour
28
00:01:27,950 --> 00:01:29,318
of what makes it tick.
29
00:01:29,818 --> 00:01:31,620
[rock music]
30
00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:33,522
[narrator] You're looking
at a test model
31
00:01:33,622 --> 00:01:35,891
of one of the most
massive planes ever.
32
00:01:36,091 --> 00:01:39,361
This is the A400M,
designed to challenge
33
00:01:39,428 --> 00:01:42,497
the air transport planes
that currently rule the sky.
34
00:01:43,532 --> 00:01:46,535
At 45 meters long,
it's a whale of a plane.
35
00:01:46,768 --> 00:01:49,738
Bigger than an AC-130 Hercules.
36
00:01:50,172 --> 00:01:51,340
But like the Hercules,
37
00:01:51,507 --> 00:01:53,709
it's designed for both
military missions,
38
00:01:54,243 --> 00:01:56,111
and humanitarian aid.
39
00:01:56,712 --> 00:01:59,681
It can even serve as
a petrol station in the sky,
40
00:01:59,882 --> 00:02:02,284
refueling other aircraft
in-flight
41
00:02:02,451 --> 00:02:03,852
or taking fuel onboard.
42
00:02:04,620 --> 00:02:07,556
One look at the cargo hold
says it all.
43
00:02:09,591 --> 00:02:13,562
The cargo hold has a maximum
capacity of 37 tonnes.
44
00:02:13,962 --> 00:02:16,832
That means we can transport
a wide variety of things,
45
00:02:16,899 --> 00:02:19,535
like skydivers,
paratroopers, medivac,
46
00:02:19,835 --> 00:02:22,871
even helicopters,
without rotor blades, of course.
47
00:02:23,705 --> 00:02:26,341
It can drop cargo
at a low speed and altitude,
48
00:02:26,942 --> 00:02:30,312
and land on short runways
without any prior preparation.
49
00:02:32,014 --> 00:02:34,149
[narrator] It's one of
the most powerful transports
50
00:02:34,216 --> 00:02:37,419
on the planet,
with four turboprop engines
51
00:02:37,486 --> 00:02:40,722
providing a total of
11,000 horsepower.
52
00:02:41,223 --> 00:02:44,826
Okay, so it's a monster.
But what's it like to fly?
53
00:02:44,893 --> 00:02:48,130
It's a big truck, but it
flies a bit like a sports car.
54
00:02:48,363 --> 00:02:50,499
[narrator] Test pilot
Tony Flynn has taken it out
55
00:02:50,566 --> 00:02:51,867
for a few test drives.
56
00:02:52,901 --> 00:02:54,937
We can go to 120 degrees
angle of bank,
57
00:02:55,304 --> 00:02:56,338
we can go to 3G,
58
00:02:56,638 --> 00:02:58,440
but of course,
with that comes responsibility,
59
00:02:58,540 --> 00:03:01,577
because it doesn't matter
how good the sports car is,
60
00:03:01,710 --> 00:03:03,078
you can still drive her
off the road.
61
00:03:03,545 --> 00:03:05,147
[narrator] That's why
the mechanical controls
62
00:03:05,214 --> 00:03:08,317
are different than in a car,
or even an older plane.
63
00:03:09,818 --> 00:03:11,220
[Tony] In most old airplanes,
64
00:03:11,286 --> 00:03:15,224
the joystick at the front
is connected mechanically
65
00:03:15,657 --> 00:03:17,492
to the flight control systems
on the airplane.
66
00:03:17,559 --> 00:03:20,362
What we've done is we've
removed that mechanical link
67
00:03:20,696 --> 00:03:23,432
so the pilot is connected
to a computer.
68
00:03:24,066 --> 00:03:26,502
[narrator] The computer system
is called fly-by-wire.
69
00:03:26,568 --> 00:03:28,937
It's programmed to guess
what the pilot wants,
70
00:03:29,137 --> 00:03:30,939
but to fly within safe limits.
71
00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:32,674
[Tony] There is a G limit,
72
00:03:32,741 --> 00:03:34,309
so he cannot
overstretch the airplane,
73
00:03:34,376 --> 00:03:36,979
he cannot stall the airplane
and make it go too slow.
74
00:03:37,045 --> 00:03:39,615
[narrator] The A400M
is driven by propellers.
75
00:03:39,781 --> 00:03:43,151
That gives it an advantage
over traditional jet engines.
76
00:03:43,285 --> 00:03:45,254
The large transport C17,
77
00:03:45,821 --> 00:03:48,490
when it lands on an unprepared
strip in the desert,
78
00:03:48,557 --> 00:03:51,093
lots of stones will be
sucked up into the engines
79
00:03:51,159 --> 00:03:52,294
and causing engine damage.
80
00:03:52,628 --> 00:03:56,498
and what propellers allow us
to do is to land
81
00:03:56,565 --> 00:03:59,401
on unprepared strips without
sustaining the type of damage
82
00:03:59,468 --> 00:04:00,702
that a jet engine would suffer.
83
00:04:00,769 --> 00:04:02,638
[narrator] Tony's going
to take the A400M
84
00:04:02,704 --> 00:04:05,073
-out for another test drive.
-Off we go!
85
00:04:05,774 --> 00:04:08,277
[narrator] But before he does,
he's taking us inside,
86
00:04:08,510 --> 00:04:10,412
for an exclusive look
at the cockpit,
87
00:04:10,479 --> 00:04:13,749
one of the most advanced in
a transport aircraft anywhere.
88
00:04:14,082 --> 00:04:17,219
We've got eight TV screens
in the cockpit.
89
00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,989
We can configure these screens
for each mission
90
00:04:21,290 --> 00:04:23,492
For example,
on the displays behind me,
91
00:04:24,092 --> 00:04:27,663
on one display right now
we can have the map,
92
00:04:27,829 --> 00:04:32,134
I can put up a terrain display,
so I cannot fly into a hill.
93
00:04:32,367 --> 00:04:34,603
Just by pressing
one button here
94
00:04:36,138 --> 00:04:38,974
the weather radar is now
displayed, which will show
95
00:04:39,308 --> 00:04:41,009
any bad weather ahead of me,
96
00:04:41,076 --> 00:04:43,545
which I can avoid
and not fly into.
97
00:04:44,446 --> 00:04:46,748
[narrator] If all that fails,
the pilot can still fly
98
00:04:46,815 --> 00:04:48,517
with the head's up display,
which shows him
99
00:04:48,584 --> 00:04:51,553
all the essentials.
Air speed, altitude,
100
00:04:51,954 --> 00:04:53,989
flight path,
and an infrared mode
101
00:04:54,056 --> 00:04:56,325
so he can see at night,
even in bad weather.
102
00:04:57,159 --> 00:05:01,663
What it allows the pilot to do
is to fly tactically,
103
00:05:01,730 --> 00:05:03,832
for example at low altitude,
whilst looking
104
00:05:03,899 --> 00:05:06,201
out of the window.
But at the same time,
105
00:05:06,268 --> 00:05:07,836
he's able to read
the information
106
00:05:07,903 --> 00:05:09,137
directly in front of his eyes.
107
00:05:09,404 --> 00:05:11,773
[narrator] All the technology
provides some comfort.
108
00:05:11,940 --> 00:05:14,209
But there are more comforts
built in. It's kind of like
109
00:05:14,276 --> 00:05:17,513
driving an incredibly big,
high tech camper van.
110
00:05:17,846 --> 00:05:21,083
It's very comfortable,
the seats are well-designed,
111
00:05:21,149 --> 00:05:22,818
the whole space
is very well-designed,
112
00:05:22,885 --> 00:05:24,553
and it's a nice place
to go to work.
113
00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:31,360
In fact, we even have some
very nice and very expensive
114
00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,163
meal tray holders where we can
have dinner during the flight.
115
00:05:36,031 --> 00:05:38,166
[narrator] No time for lunch.
He's gotta fly.
116
00:05:38,867 --> 00:05:41,036
Tony and his colleagues
are checking everything
117
00:05:41,103 --> 00:05:42,671
from the plane's
maneuverability
118
00:05:42,738 --> 00:05:45,674
to wing performance.
The wings are ultralight,
119
00:05:45,841 --> 00:05:47,876
made entirely of carbon fiber.
120
00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:52,314
One of the technologies
that stands out
121
00:05:52,381 --> 00:05:53,982
is the use of carbon fiber.
122
00:05:54,349 --> 00:05:57,452
The wings are designed and built
with carbon fiber,
123
00:05:57,553 --> 00:06:00,422
as well as the vertical
and horizontal stabilizers,
124
00:06:00,489 --> 00:06:02,057
air frame and engine.
125
00:06:02,391 --> 00:06:04,760
This reduces weight
and fuel needs.
126
00:06:07,863 --> 00:06:09,531
[narrator] The team is also
pushing the limits
127
00:06:09,598 --> 00:06:11,333
of the onboard technologies.
128
00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,670
Every flight test, and all
data collected in-flight,
129
00:06:14,736 --> 00:06:16,371
is monitored by engineers
on the ground
130
00:06:16,438 --> 00:06:19,107
in Spain, France,
Germany and England.
131
00:06:20,142 --> 00:06:24,546
[English voice-over] Engineers
both in the plane
132
00:06:24,613 --> 00:06:26,415
and on the ground can detect
133
00:06:26,481 --> 00:06:28,650
any flaws in any
of the systems
134
00:06:28,917 --> 00:06:31,553
and communicate with the
pilots in real-time.
135
00:06:35,357 --> 00:06:36,758
[narrator] Mission
accomplished.
136
00:06:37,125 --> 00:06:39,895
[Tony] When the flight test goes
right, you definitely feel
137
00:06:39,962 --> 00:06:44,166
a sense of achievement,
and you come away feeling
138
00:06:44,233 --> 00:06:45,934
you've done a good day of work.
139
00:06:49,438 --> 00:06:52,708
So clearly that mega-plane
is a perfect example
140
00:06:52,774 --> 00:06:56,378
of a man-made machine doing
work that we, mere mortals,
141
00:06:56,678 --> 00:06:57,846
can't do alone!
142
00:06:57,913 --> 00:07:00,682
Let's face it, we rely
more and more on machines
143
00:07:00,749 --> 00:07:02,050
and computers these days.
144
00:07:02,117 --> 00:07:06,421
But sometimes the simplest
human task is not all that
145
00:07:06,488 --> 00:07:08,123
easy for high tech machines.
146
00:07:08,624 --> 00:07:11,660
Now, if you need any proof
of that, enter exhibit A.
147
00:07:11,894 --> 00:07:13,829
From the tech team
at UC Berkeley,
148
00:07:14,029 --> 00:07:16,465
I present to you,
the Quadrotor.
149
00:07:18,267 --> 00:07:20,702
[upbeat music]
150
00:07:20,936 --> 00:07:23,071
[narrator] Most of us take
catching a ball for granted.
151
00:07:23,238 --> 00:07:26,575
We see it, track it, we run
and then we catch it.
152
00:07:26,742 --> 00:07:28,043
It sounds really easy, right?
153
00:07:28,277 --> 00:07:31,480
But for the computerized
Quadrotor helicopter,
154
00:07:31,613 --> 00:07:34,483
It's actually got complicated
calculations to make
155
00:07:34,716 --> 00:07:36,051
in order to catch the ball.
156
00:07:37,853 --> 00:07:40,155
Ready... set... go!
157
00:07:41,323 --> 00:07:44,092
The motion capture system
finds these reflective dots,
158
00:07:44,393 --> 00:07:46,428
and using this, determines
the position
159
00:07:46,495 --> 00:07:49,665
of the Quadrotor helicopter,
and to track the ball
160
00:07:49,731 --> 00:07:51,900
we cover it
with reflective tape.
161
00:07:52,234 --> 00:07:55,103
[narrator] Humans don't track
an airborne ball the same way.
162
00:07:55,337 --> 00:07:57,706
A human baseball player
is trying to maintain
163
00:07:57,773 --> 00:08:01,143
a constant angle in their
field of view to the ball.
164
00:08:01,343 --> 00:08:03,946
So they're basically tracking
it in their visual system,
165
00:08:04,012 --> 00:08:06,481
and trying to keep it
roughly in the same spot.
166
00:08:06,548 --> 00:08:08,483
And if that holds
the entire time,
167
00:08:08,550 --> 00:08:10,552
eventually the ball
has to come towards them.
168
00:08:10,752 --> 00:08:12,254
[narrator] The Quadrotor
has got the help
169
00:08:12,321 --> 00:08:14,723
of near-infrared motion
capture cameras.
170
00:08:15,224 --> 00:08:17,226
That information helps it
predict where the ball
171
00:08:17,292 --> 00:08:19,862
will land, so it can move
there to catch it.
172
00:08:21,063 --> 00:08:24,066
At each instant in time,
the helicopter is getting
173
00:08:24,499 --> 00:08:28,103
a measurement of the instant
position of the ball.
174
00:08:28,170 --> 00:08:30,873
It then uses an idea
of the physics of the ball
175
00:08:31,139 --> 00:08:32,608
to predict
where it will land.
176
00:08:35,878 --> 00:08:38,447
[narrator] Pat Bouffard got
the Quadrotor up and running.
177
00:08:38,547 --> 00:08:41,149
It's quite capable of
moving around on its own,
178
00:08:41,216 --> 00:08:42,384
based on commands.
179
00:08:42,584 --> 00:08:46,188
Anil Aswani is now on board,
adapting a new technique
180
00:08:46,255 --> 00:08:50,025
he calls "learning-based model
predictive control." Wow.
181
00:08:50,125 --> 00:08:53,395
It basically gives machines
that were previously automated
182
00:08:53,462 --> 00:08:56,298
the ability to learn, adapt,
and make decisions.
183
00:08:56,632 --> 00:08:59,401
The technique is called
"predictive control" because
184
00:08:59,935 --> 00:09:03,405
the machine uses its internal
model of its behavior
185
00:09:03,739 --> 00:09:05,841
to predict
how it's going to behave.
186
00:09:06,608 --> 00:09:08,277
[narrator] In this case,
the Quadrotor makes
187
00:09:08,343 --> 00:09:10,579
its predictions based on
information it receives
188
00:09:10,646 --> 00:09:12,748
from the cameras set up
around the room.
189
00:09:13,048 --> 00:09:16,852
The camera system is kind of
a general positioning device
190
00:09:16,919 --> 00:09:18,720
that allows us to figure out
where the Quadrotor is
191
00:09:18,787 --> 00:09:19,788
and where the ball is.
192
00:09:19,855 --> 00:09:21,657
[narrator] Instantaneous
measurements are happening
193
00:09:21,723 --> 00:09:23,725
one hundred and twenty
times a second!
194
00:09:24,159 --> 00:09:26,862
We use the camera system
to determine the position
195
00:09:26,929 --> 00:09:30,966
of the ball, and then we look
at the position over time
196
00:09:31,233 --> 00:09:33,368
to try to determine what
the trajectory of the ball
197
00:09:33,435 --> 00:09:35,003
is gonna be. In other words,
198
00:09:35,070 --> 00:09:38,173
how the ball is gonna go up
and curve and come down.
199
00:09:41,343 --> 00:09:43,812
[narrator] The red cross marks
the predicted landing spot
200
00:09:43,879 --> 00:09:47,416
of the ball. The Quadrotor
constantly adjusts that spot,
201
00:09:47,482 --> 00:09:48,550
throughout the ball's arc.
202
00:09:49,918 --> 00:09:52,054
Because all this happens
very quickly, we have to have
203
00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:54,089
a pretty good prediction
right off the bat.
204
00:09:54,389 --> 00:09:55,891
[narrator] They need
to accurately predict
205
00:09:55,958 --> 00:09:58,660
the ball's trajectory through
the air, once it's thrown.
206
00:09:59,394 --> 00:10:00,963
There was a lot
of trial and error.
207
00:10:01,296 --> 00:10:05,033
And that was really trying
to determine which forces
208
00:10:05,100 --> 00:10:07,369
are the most significant
forces on the ball.
209
00:10:08,504 --> 00:10:11,306
Gravity, in this case, is by
far the most important factor,
210
00:10:11,373 --> 00:10:15,210
because it's always there,
and it's very much constant
211
00:10:15,277 --> 00:10:16,445
and quite predictable.
212
00:10:16,512 --> 00:10:18,480
There's also air resistance,
213
00:10:18,547 --> 00:10:20,516
which tends to slow
the ball down,
214
00:10:21,316 --> 00:10:23,852
and that's a fairly
well-understood effect.
215
00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:25,988
[narrator] The instant
the ball is thrown,
216
00:10:26,054 --> 00:10:27,456
the Quadrotor's prediction
is accurate
217
00:10:27,523 --> 00:10:29,124
to within ten centimeters.
218
00:10:29,191 --> 00:10:30,959
But within one second
of calculations,
219
00:10:31,026 --> 00:10:32,728
and by the time
the ball's about to land,
220
00:10:32,794 --> 00:10:34,763
it's accurate
to under one centimeter.
221
00:10:34,897 --> 00:10:37,299
It catches the ball
about 90% of the time.
222
00:10:37,499 --> 00:10:39,268
Better than my
fielding percentage.
223
00:10:39,368 --> 00:10:40,936
But they still think
they can do better.
224
00:10:41,670 --> 00:10:44,706
There's a phenomenon that
causes the path of the ball
225
00:10:44,773 --> 00:10:47,509
to curve,
because of the spin.
226
00:10:47,576 --> 00:10:50,612
But it ended up below our
threshold of modeling,
227
00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,248
so we decided
not to include that.
228
00:10:53,315 --> 00:10:56,785
But if we were
to include this in future,
229
00:10:56,852 --> 00:11:01,023
that might improve
our performance and accuracy.
230
00:11:01,790 --> 00:11:03,659
[narrator] So while humans
continue to keep
231
00:11:03,725 --> 00:11:06,828
their eye on the ball using
their own built-in visual clues,
232
00:11:07,129 --> 00:11:09,965
Anil and Pat will continue
to work with the Quadrotor,
233
00:11:10,032 --> 00:11:12,634
which takes its cues from
tracking systems
234
00:11:12,701 --> 00:11:13,902
in the outside world.
235
00:11:15,604 --> 00:11:18,507
[Anil] Humans often use
approximate techniques that work
236
00:11:18,574 --> 00:11:21,610
very well in practice,
whereas machines have to use
237
00:11:21,677 --> 00:11:24,413
very complex mathematical
algorithms in order
238
00:11:24,479 --> 00:11:26,048
to replicate what humans do.
239
00:11:26,114 --> 00:11:28,250
And that's a very interesting
area of research
240
00:11:28,317 --> 00:11:30,285
on trying to bridge the gap,
and that's one
241
00:11:30,352 --> 00:11:32,721
that we may look into
in the future
242
00:11:35,924 --> 00:11:37,893
Coming up on How Tech Works.
243
00:11:38,327 --> 00:11:40,429
Here's a car
you have to see to believe.
244
00:11:40,495 --> 00:11:41,964
and that's
all you have to do,
245
00:11:42,130 --> 00:11:45,667
because this car drives
itself... down the Autobahn!
246
00:11:45,734 --> 00:11:49,905
And, we'll check out the world's
biggest vertical wind tunnel,
247
00:11:49,972 --> 00:11:52,341
and go sky-diving... indoors!
248
00:11:57,613 --> 00:12:00,983
Welcome back to How Tech Works.
I'm Basil Singer,
249
00:12:01,049 --> 00:12:03,519
your host with the most
ridiculous love
250
00:12:03,819 --> 00:12:06,555
for all things robot
and remote controlled.
251
00:12:06,622 --> 00:12:08,490
So, without further ado,
252
00:12:08,724 --> 00:12:11,927
we catch up with intrepid
reporter Dan Riskin,
253
00:12:12,127 --> 00:12:15,430
driving on the super fast
Autobahn in Germany,
254
00:12:15,564 --> 00:12:18,834
where, ordinarily,
it's critical to stay focused
255
00:12:18,901 --> 00:12:20,369
on the task at hand.
256
00:12:20,502 --> 00:12:23,105
Except when you don't
need your hands!
257
00:12:24,573 --> 00:12:27,042
[narrator] The Autobahn.
When you drive it,
258
00:12:27,109 --> 00:12:29,244
you've gotta keep
your eyes on the road
259
00:12:29,311 --> 00:12:31,380
and your hands upon the wheel.
260
00:12:31,580 --> 00:12:35,217
Unless you're in this car.
Look, Ma, no hands!
261
00:12:36,151 --> 00:12:38,487
It's a robot car called
Made in Germany,
262
00:12:38,921 --> 00:12:40,088
"MIG" for short.
263
00:12:40,489 --> 00:12:43,125
Made by researchers at
the Free University of Berlin.
264
00:12:43,592 --> 00:12:45,460
[speaking German]
265
00:12:45,861 --> 00:12:48,497
[narrator] And today,
for the very first time,
266
00:12:48,564 --> 00:12:50,365
They'll let it overtake
another car
267
00:12:50,432 --> 00:12:54,136
in heavy Autobahn traffic,
all by itself.
268
00:12:55,204 --> 00:12:58,040
But first, a warm up.
MIG's going to drive itself
269
00:12:58,507 --> 00:13:00,075
through Berlin traffic.
270
00:13:00,843 --> 00:13:02,377
And I'm going to catch a ride.
271
00:13:02,444 --> 00:13:04,880
[narrator] Two researchers
are on board to ensure safety.
272
00:13:05,948 --> 00:13:07,149
But I'm still
nervous about this.
273
00:13:07,216 --> 00:13:09,351
Alright, here we are.
What are you looking at?
274
00:13:09,751 --> 00:13:11,720
I am looking at the sensor
readings of the car.
275
00:13:12,087 --> 00:13:13,889
I have the plan where the car
wants to go.
276
00:13:14,389 --> 00:13:15,991
[Dan] So the map of the roads
277
00:13:16,158 --> 00:13:18,727
is from a map that
it has in its brain?
278
00:13:18,794 --> 00:13:21,396
[man] Yeah,
it's stored in a file.
279
00:13:23,632 --> 00:13:24,800
Right now, I'm in control
280
00:13:24,867 --> 00:13:27,669
and as soon as I put
my foot off the brake pedal.
281
00:13:28,670 --> 00:13:30,973
[Dan] Holy shoot!
Okay, I can't swear.
282
00:13:31,039 --> 00:13:34,109
[man] So now the car wants
to go left on the trajectory.
283
00:13:34,676 --> 00:13:36,178
Three, two, one, go.
284
00:13:39,147 --> 00:13:40,949
So this is driving
by itself now?
285
00:13:41,350 --> 00:13:43,285
Yes. It is driving
totally by itself.
286
00:13:45,087 --> 00:13:47,022
I don't do anything.
My hands are off.
287
00:13:47,289 --> 00:13:50,325
It's going a little fast,
it really accelerated quickly.
288
00:13:50,392 --> 00:13:53,462
[man] Yeah it's 50. We didn't
want to drive like Grandma,
289
00:13:53,529 --> 00:13:55,998
so it's just normal driving.
290
00:13:56,198 --> 00:13:57,733
[Dan laughs] You didn't want to
drive like Grandma?
291
00:13:57,799 --> 00:13:59,868
Is that what you just said?
[laughs]
292
00:14:00,602 --> 00:14:02,371
[narrator] The goal is to make
an autopilot that can
293
00:14:02,437 --> 00:14:03,972
stop accidents from happening,
294
00:14:04,039 --> 00:14:07,676
and eventually make cars that
drive themselves all the time.
295
00:14:08,577 --> 00:14:09,578
Could you go to sleep?
296
00:14:10,579 --> 00:14:12,581
I cannot go to sleep
because all the time
297
00:14:12,648 --> 00:14:15,217
there can something happen,
and there can be
298
00:14:15,284 --> 00:14:17,219
unexpected situations the car
cannot handle,
299
00:14:17,286 --> 00:14:20,055
and then I have to intervene.
I only have to put my foot
300
00:14:20,122 --> 00:14:23,091
on the brake or on the gas
and then I am in control again.
301
00:14:23,458 --> 00:14:25,227
[Dan] So how long have you had
permission to drive this
302
00:14:25,294 --> 00:14:26,461
on the roads of Berlin?
303
00:14:26,762 --> 00:14:29,097
[man] So we just got
the permission this week.
304
00:14:29,164 --> 00:14:32,734
This week! So this still
pretty brand new for you guys.
305
00:14:33,068 --> 00:14:34,369
Yeah, it is.
306
00:14:35,637 --> 00:14:37,239
[narrator] The team has
permission to let MIG
307
00:14:37,306 --> 00:14:40,442
drive itself, back and forth,
on this busy boulevard.
308
00:14:41,510 --> 00:14:42,611
[Dan] There's a lot
of traffic here!
309
00:14:42,678 --> 00:14:43,979
[man] Yeah,
because it's a big road.
310
00:14:44,112 --> 00:14:46,515
[narrator] I try hard to look
calm at the first U-turn.
311
00:14:48,617 --> 00:14:50,052
Okay, so now you have
a cyclist who is trying
312
00:14:50,118 --> 00:14:53,188
to cross, so this is a spot
where she might just pull out.
313
00:14:53,255 --> 00:14:57,426
Yeah, she's going. So the car
sees her, and hits the break.
314
00:14:57,826 --> 00:15:00,262
The car recognized her.
And she stopped.
315
00:15:00,329 --> 00:15:01,897
She is gone.
So we can continue.
316
00:15:01,964 --> 00:15:02,965
[Dan] So that was all the car?
317
00:15:03,031 --> 00:15:04,433
-[man] Yes, it was all the car.
-[Dan] That's great!
318
00:15:04,867 --> 00:15:07,870
[narrator] MIG sees the world
with a laser sensor up top.
319
00:15:08,403 --> 00:15:12,374
And laser and radar sensors
built in the body, and cameras.
320
00:15:13,242 --> 00:15:15,878
The images are processed by a
computer in the trunk.
321
00:15:16,545 --> 00:15:18,146
GPS tells it where it is.
322
00:15:18,881 --> 00:15:20,949
Everything feeds into
another computer,
323
00:15:21,149 --> 00:15:23,886
which controls motors working
the accelerator, brakes,
324
00:15:23,952 --> 00:15:26,989
and steering. Miao's laptop
controls it all.
325
00:15:27,456 --> 00:15:29,825
The red shapes are cars
and other obstacles.
326
00:15:29,925 --> 00:15:32,127
So we're coming up to a turn
there, is that what that shows?
327
00:15:32,461 --> 00:15:34,963
Yeah, it is making
a U-turn here.
328
00:15:35,264 --> 00:15:37,032
[narrator] But this is still
a work in progress.
329
00:15:37,633 --> 00:15:40,903
The car stops,
and starts, and stops.
330
00:15:41,103 --> 00:15:44,039
And when the road is clear,
he will pursue his path.
331
00:15:44,473 --> 00:15:46,375
So right now it doesn't
start on its own
332
00:15:46,441 --> 00:15:49,711
because there is grass
on the street on our right side.
333
00:15:49,845 --> 00:15:51,346
Just this little grass
on the side here?
334
00:15:51,513 --> 00:15:53,115
Yeah, so therefore I took over.
335
00:15:53,815 --> 00:15:55,484
And now I give control
back to the car.
336
00:15:55,551 --> 00:15:57,219
And now it starts accelerating.
337
00:15:57,286 --> 00:15:58,520
[Dan] That's what
that beeping noise was?
338
00:15:58,587 --> 00:16:00,556
[man] Yeah, the beeping noise
is always when I intervene.
339
00:16:00,756 --> 00:16:03,158
[narrator] The scanners
are picking up overgrown weeds.
340
00:16:03,425 --> 00:16:06,528
The car has some problems
at the intersection here.
341
00:16:07,229 --> 00:16:08,897
[narrator] MIG thinks
they're obstacles,
342
00:16:09,131 --> 00:16:10,232
so it brakes for them.
343
00:16:11,166 --> 00:16:14,036
Aside from that, they think
MIG is performing pretty well.
344
00:16:15,537 --> 00:16:17,573
[car horn beeps]
345
00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:20,275
-Hey, we're autonomous, buddy!
-[laughs]
346
00:16:20,442 --> 00:16:23,278
[narrator] Ah, well
enough for today's big test.
347
00:16:23,645 --> 00:16:24,780
[Dan] Let's take it up a notch.
348
00:16:25,380 --> 00:16:28,684
We are going to do autonomous
driving, on the Autobahn.
349
00:16:31,153 --> 00:16:32,287
[researcher] Okay, Miao.
350
00:16:32,354 --> 00:16:34,356
-Ready.
-Oh God! Okay, there.
351
00:16:36,291 --> 00:16:38,060
-That's autonomous now?
-Yeah, now it is autonomous.
352
00:16:38,694 --> 00:16:41,230
Okay I take my foot off
and now the car takes over.
353
00:16:42,664 --> 00:16:43,665
Whoa!
354
00:16:45,267 --> 00:16:47,369
And now the car follows
the car in front of us
355
00:16:47,703 --> 00:16:48,704
so I don't do anything.
356
00:16:48,770 --> 00:16:50,405
So it knows where that car
in front of us is
357
00:16:50,472 --> 00:16:51,507
and it just follows it?
358
00:16:51,573 --> 00:16:53,542
[man] Yeah, it follows
everything on its lanes.
359
00:16:53,976 --> 00:16:55,611
So you guys are totally calm
right now?
360
00:16:56,211 --> 00:16:57,713
Well, we are alert,
but we check
361
00:16:57,779 --> 00:17:00,015
if other cars
Might cut our lanes.
362
00:17:00,282 --> 00:17:02,050
And how's everything look
on the computer?
363
00:17:02,284 --> 00:17:05,187
It's good. All the sensors
are up and running.
364
00:17:05,587 --> 00:17:07,523
We drive pretty smoothly
on Autobahn.
365
00:17:07,589 --> 00:17:10,092
It checks the velocity
of the car in front of us,
366
00:17:10,158 --> 00:17:12,160
and the distance, and from
these two parameters
367
00:17:12,594 --> 00:17:14,997
it calculates the speed
it wants to go.
368
00:17:15,230 --> 00:17:17,599
[narrator] We're traveling
at today's specified top speed.
369
00:17:17,933 --> 00:17:20,335
Maybe you can try
an overtaking maneuver now.
370
00:17:21,703 --> 00:17:23,105
So maybe you try you can try
an overtaking maneuver,
371
00:17:23,172 --> 00:17:25,007
but I think there are
a lot of cars behind us.
372
00:17:25,073 --> 00:17:26,842
Maybe you could
slow down to 90.
373
00:17:27,176 --> 00:17:28,710
[narrator] Now I'm
really worried.
374
00:17:29,011 --> 00:17:31,413
They want MIG to overtake
the car in front of us.
375
00:17:31,847 --> 00:17:33,649
It's driven
by one of their colleagues.
376
00:17:33,715 --> 00:17:36,118
When he slows down,
MIG will decide
377
00:17:36,185 --> 00:17:38,153
whether it's safe to pass him,
or not.
378
00:17:38,587 --> 00:17:39,955
That's what scares me.
379
00:17:40,789 --> 00:17:43,358
Cars come up very quickly
in the passing lane
380
00:17:43,692 --> 00:17:46,562
It's not safe, there are
a lot of cars back there!
381
00:17:46,962 --> 00:17:49,097
And does it ask permission,
or does it just do it?
382
00:17:49,198 --> 00:17:51,533
-It just does it.
-Oh my goodness!
383
00:17:54,002 --> 00:17:55,304
[narrator] The car
in front slows.
384
00:17:56,071 --> 00:17:57,739
MIG finds a gap
in the traffic,
385
00:17:58,473 --> 00:17:59,675
and goes for it.
386
00:17:59,975 --> 00:18:02,511
Daniel intervenes because
he can't see the gap.
387
00:18:02,578 --> 00:18:04,379
No, this is too dangerous.
388
00:18:04,446 --> 00:18:06,481
I mean, they come
at a hundred kilometers.
389
00:18:08,183 --> 00:18:09,218
[narrator] They try again.
390
00:18:09,852 --> 00:18:11,520
Okay, we are in
autonomous mode again.
391
00:18:11,587 --> 00:18:12,588
[indistinct voice on radio]
392
00:18:12,955 --> 00:18:16,225
[narrator] The car in front
slows. MIG hits the gas.
393
00:18:16,692 --> 00:18:18,360
Okay, now we overtake.
394
00:18:18,493 --> 00:18:21,563
-[Dan] Wow, that's real.
-[man] Yeah.
395
00:18:23,098 --> 00:18:24,099
Wow!
396
00:18:24,166 --> 00:18:26,201
[narrator] MIG passes
the passing test.
397
00:18:27,469 --> 00:18:31,940
Not once, but several times.
398
00:18:35,110 --> 00:18:36,845
There's still more work
to be done.
399
00:18:37,079 --> 00:18:40,983
But it's a start down the road
of driverless cars.
400
00:18:42,651 --> 00:18:45,721
That was a bit of a crazy ride!
Thanks again guys!
401
00:18:47,022 --> 00:18:48,390
[car horn beeps]
402
00:18:50,192 --> 00:18:53,161
Finally, as if that wasn't
thrilling enough!
403
00:18:53,295 --> 00:18:55,931
We're airborne
for our final story.
404
00:18:55,998 --> 00:18:58,400
But there's no aircraft
in sight.
405
00:18:58,467 --> 00:19:01,737
In fact, we're even staying
indoors... skydiving!
406
00:19:01,837 --> 00:19:04,740
In the world's largest
vertical wind tunnel!
407
00:19:05,641 --> 00:19:08,644
[rock music]
408
00:19:09,811 --> 00:19:11,980
[man] Most people see it as
a bucket list kind of thing.
409
00:19:12,047 --> 00:19:14,283
Everyone wants to do it
once in their life.
410
00:19:14,683 --> 00:19:16,185
[narrator] A giant
leap of faith...
411
00:19:16,251 --> 00:19:17,920
begins right here.
412
00:19:18,120 --> 00:19:20,022
[crowd cheers]
413
00:19:21,290 --> 00:19:23,425
[narrator] It's skydiving's
inside secret.
414
00:19:23,792 --> 00:19:27,563
What you learn in the tunnel
you can take to the sky.
415
00:19:27,863 --> 00:19:29,064
[narrator] Paraclete XP,
416
00:19:29,131 --> 00:19:31,967
the biggest vertical
wind tunnel on the planet,
417
00:19:32,067 --> 00:19:33,869
in Raeford, North Carolina.
418
00:19:33,936 --> 00:19:35,904
-It's addictive.
-It is addictive!
419
00:19:35,971 --> 00:19:38,740
I want to do it again.
[laughs]
420
00:19:40,008 --> 00:19:42,377
[narrator] And while families
like this one get sucked
421
00:19:42,444 --> 00:19:45,814
into the excitement in this
five meter windy playground,
422
00:19:46,782 --> 00:19:49,318
Every time she comes
here she has to do it!
423
00:19:50,052 --> 00:19:52,354
there are some other clients
who take things
424
00:19:52,421 --> 00:19:54,289
a little more seriously.
425
00:19:54,423 --> 00:19:56,058
The fact that you can get
in the tunnel,
426
00:19:56,291 --> 00:19:59,228
for two, even four minutes
at a time, come back out,
427
00:19:59,428 --> 00:20:01,964
watch exactly what you did,
debrief it,
428
00:20:02,030 --> 00:20:03,332
and get right back in.
429
00:20:03,665 --> 00:20:06,401
It's unparalleled to be able to
actually jump out of a plane,
430
00:20:06,668 --> 00:20:09,404
pack, repack again,
go back over it,
431
00:20:09,471 --> 00:20:12,441
and the exhaustion factor
comes in to play as well,
432
00:20:12,741 --> 00:20:14,510
so this is an awesome
opportunity to have this
433
00:20:14,576 --> 00:20:15,911
local here to Fort Bragg.
434
00:20:16,445 --> 00:20:18,680
[narrator] These are
the Golden Knights,
435
00:20:18,881 --> 00:20:21,950
the US Army's high-flying
goodwill ambassadors.
436
00:20:22,284 --> 00:20:23,752
[together] Out the hole,
into the black.
437
00:20:23,819 --> 00:20:26,388
Once you're there, you never go
back. Boom! The Golden Knights.
438
00:20:26,755 --> 00:20:28,590
Drafted from military ranks,
439
00:20:28,757 --> 00:20:31,026
they are like
the parachuting elite.
440
00:20:31,693 --> 00:20:33,929
Today, the Golden Knights
are training.
441
00:20:34,563 --> 00:20:37,165
With the sound of the bell,
they dive right in.
442
00:20:37,533 --> 00:20:39,868
Today we're just going to be
working on making points
443
00:20:39,935 --> 00:20:43,705
and being able to fly your
body in, next to somebody.
444
00:20:44,039 --> 00:20:45,274
[narrator] Not an easy feat.
445
00:20:45,340 --> 00:20:47,609
The wind speed in here
can simulate skydiving
446
00:20:47,676 --> 00:20:49,845
at over 180 miles per hour.
447
00:20:52,447 --> 00:20:55,250
Every flight can be customized
in this control room.
448
00:20:56,752 --> 00:20:58,720
Two-thousand horsepower fans
449
00:20:58,787 --> 00:21:01,557
push hot air out
past exterior louvers.
450
00:21:02,457 --> 00:21:05,794
New air flows down and into
the chamber, where it is spun
451
00:21:05,861 --> 00:21:09,431
around by turn levers, making
it virtually turbulence free.
452
00:21:10,265 --> 00:21:13,001
You realize little things
make a huge difference,
453
00:21:13,068 --> 00:21:15,270
like your hand corking
a little bit one way,
454
00:21:15,704 --> 00:21:17,072
or your foot
turning out another,
455
00:21:17,139 --> 00:21:19,541
and our boss can get in there,
tell us what we're doing
456
00:21:19,608 --> 00:21:22,578
wrong or right, and we execute
it and make a difference.
457
00:21:23,212 --> 00:21:25,280
[narrator] Much better
to make mistakes in here
458
00:21:25,447 --> 00:21:26,949
than in the skies.
459
00:21:27,816 --> 00:21:29,318
Still, it's dangerous.
460
00:21:29,451 --> 00:21:32,421
A collision at this speed
could cause serious injury.
461
00:21:32,855 --> 00:21:34,489
Sometimes you have your day,
sometimes you don't.
462
00:21:34,556 --> 00:21:36,024
It's like any other sport
in the world.
463
00:21:36,525 --> 00:21:38,560
[narrator] A sport that
sparks wonder at airshows
464
00:21:38,727 --> 00:21:40,629
and inspires others to fly.
465
00:21:40,829 --> 00:21:42,264
[man] There's nothing like it
in the world.
466
00:21:42,331 --> 00:21:43,498
Absolutely nothing.
467
00:21:43,565 --> 00:21:45,534
People ride planes every day,
but how many people
468
00:21:45,601 --> 00:21:48,837
can get out of a plane
and just fall all on their own?
469
00:21:48,904 --> 00:21:49,905
It's awesome.
470
00:21:49,972 --> 00:21:51,540
[narrator] Awesome enough
that this family
471
00:21:51,607 --> 00:21:53,041
is getting a jump start.
472
00:21:53,108 --> 00:21:56,211
Anybody can do it.
Whether you're a kid, or 60,
473
00:21:56,278 --> 00:21:59,181
or a grandparent,
a mom, a dad, doesn't matter.
474
00:21:59,248 --> 00:22:00,282
So it's really cool.
475
00:22:02,784 --> 00:22:05,320
Wow, what a great way
of experiencing
476
00:22:05,387 --> 00:22:08,690
non-stop sky diving without
the fear of jumping
477
00:22:08,757 --> 00:22:09,992
out of a plane.
478
00:22:10,058 --> 00:22:12,728
Well, that's all we've got
time for today.
479
00:22:12,794 --> 00:22:15,330
Thank you very much for
watching How Tech Works.
480
00:22:15,564 --> 00:22:19,034
Until next time,
me, Dr. Basil Singer!
481
00:22:20,068 --> 00:22:23,071
[ending music]
39083
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.