Summary
In this engaging episode of Dr. Pawd, listeners are introduced to MIT Professor Cathy Wu, whose cutting-edge research focuses on machine learning and optimization for the future of transportation. With the goal of designing roadways that prevent traffic jams and minimize congestion for self-driving cars, Cathy's work delves into how infrastructure and autonomous vehicle technology can come together to revolutionize the future of our roads.
Cathy's interest in the field of transportation stems from the impact self-driving cars have on computer vision, path planning, and electrical engineering. Utilizing reinforcement learning as a key tool, her research models self-driving cars and their interaction with traffic systems to predict the ideal infrastructure needed while also assessing the cost of building them. Surprisingly, her findings reveal that even a small percentage of autonomous vehicles on the road (around 5%) can lead to a significant reduction in traffic congestion.
The study goes on to uncover the potential for self-driving cars to aid emergency medical vehicles and improve safety at a system level. Furthermore, preliminary work on "human compatible driving" demonstrates that lower levels of autonomy can also help mitigate congestion, with instructions being given to drivers every 15-25 seconds. The episode emphasizes the role reinforcement learning plays in uncovering new strategies and insights for addressing the challenges of large-scale transportation systems and planning for emerging technologies, changing consumer preferences, and climate change impact on urban systems.
Throughout the discussion, topics such as potential future transportation solutions like flying cars and underground tunnels are covered, highlighting the importance of combining infrastructure with software for advanced transportation breakthroughs. Additionally, Cathy delves into the subject of learning for combinatorial optimization, mentioning general-purpose algorithms for combinatorial problems and the necessity for algorithm development as flying cars and underground tunnels become a reality.
As a recently appointed MIT professor, Cathy shares her experiences and advice for Ph.D. students, such as attending seminars, networking with cohort members, and learning from team peers. She also offers advice to new faculty members, emphasizing the importance of focusing on great research while the other tasks will naturally fall into place.
Overall, this exciting episode of Dr. Pawd sheds light on the future of our roads and transportation systems, offering valuable insights from a passionate researcher and educator at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology and optimization.
