SuperGPS and Tesla FSD ??

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to the twentieth edition of the Quantumics Weekly Roundup. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into Delft University of Technology’s “SuperGPS”, and exploring Tesla’s full self driving (beta) release. We’ll also explore the latest news and information in data and AI, business and tech.

Let’s go! ??

?? SuperGPS to the Rescue!

We’ve all used GPS before, from estimating travel times, avoiding traffic, keeping track of items, and generally avoiding getting lost.

But it's not always the most reliable of systems, especially in built-up areas where it's difficult to get a straight line of sight to and from a satellite.

Now researchers, at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, have come up with a new and improved technology that could eventually replace GPS in some scenarios. SuperGPS, a hybrid positioning system that combines wireless and optical connections, is accurate within 10cm (or 3.9 inches) and doesn't rely on navigation satellite systems.

“We realized that with a few cutting-edge innovations, the telecommunication network could be transformed into a very accurate alternative positioning system that is independent of GPS,”?says Jeroen Koelemeij of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.?“We have succeeded and have successfully developed a system that can provide connectivity just like existing mobile, and Wi-Fi networks do, as well as accurate positioning and time distribution like GPS.”

You can learn more about the project?here.

??? Tesla’s FSD Beta in the US

Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” Beta, which has been gradually rolling out over the past couple of years, is now available to anyone who’s paid for the feature in North America.

Previously, getting access to the beta has typically required that drivers hit a minimum safety threshold with?Tesla’s built-in Safety Score feature?as well as logging 100 miles using the company’s advanced driver-assist feature Autopilot.

The $15,000 (or $199 per month subscription) feature allows the ability to identify and respond to traffic light and stop signs, with the option of automatically steering on city streets listed as “upcoming.” Tesla cars include “Autopilot” driver assistance features like traffic-aware cruise control as standard, while a step-down “Enhanced Autopilot” feature is sold for $6,000, and offers features like Autopark and Smart Summon.?

News Bites ??

• As we mentioned, Apple is rumored to be developing a mixed-reality AR/VR headset.?This guide contains everything?that is currently known about realityOS, the operating system that will run on the headset.
• Are tech companies in Silicon Valley?laying off culture, as well as staff? We may be experiencing a reset in tech culture, as companies mature and growth slows.
• Elizabeth Holmes, convicted on four charges of fraud in January for deceiving investors with claims about her startup Theranos, has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison.

Say Hi in our Slack Community! ??

Apart from leading the way in citizen data-ops, we’re also hard at work building a community of data enthusiasts, from beginner to professional, young to old. If you want to chat about data, give feedback about our data platform or even just chat about the state of the world with some awesome people, why not check us out? ??

Join our Slack!

That’s everything for now, catch you next week!