Devices that use data to make their own decisions are increasingly beep-beep-booping their way into the mainstream.
Need further proof? Yesterday, autonomous technology made a rumble in the automotive world — and, surprisingly, the blue jean business.
California gave the green light to driverless cars
Until now, the state that gave rise to autonomous vehicles has required the devices to be manned at all times by a human in the driver’s seat. But on Monday, the state’s DMV announced that requirement will be eliminated, effective April 2.
Under the new rule, vehicles must still be remotely operable when necessary — but it’s a massive step toward the full realization of self-driving cars.
Meanwhile in Miami, Florida…
Ford has rolled out a “three-pronged approach” to get rolling on its own autonomous vehicle research.
The carmaker is testing out a fleet of self-driving Ford Focuses both for ride-hailing and delivery purposes, and is building a network of “fleet management centers” to test out self-driving car maintenance procedures.
And now for something completely different
Denim companies typically have to go through 15 to 20 different manual steps (many involving nasty chemicals) to make a pair of jeans look and feel “worn-in.”
Now, Levi’s is implementing autonomous laser robots that can fashion a pair of those worn-in, ripped jeans in 90 seconds — a fraction of the time it takes human workers.