It is primarily designed for military applications, with commercial use unlikely

A new system that will allow robots or cars of the future to avoid obstacles and dangers, such as potholes, fallen trees, even armed threats, designed by English scientists. It is a neural network designed in fact to the standards of the defense and fear-reaction mechanisms of mammals.

The system, by name STARTLE, placed on self-driving vehicles or robots and uses sensors to analyze the environment for potential threats. If it detects any threat, activates secondary systems to avoid or cope with it, changing its course, by activating the brakes or simply using the vehicle's weapons.

STARTLE was created by Roke Manor Research a research and development company from Hampshire, England, which specializes in military-type products and technologies. Certainly if the first large-scale tests are successfully completed the company will enter into agreements with manufacturers to integrate STARTLE into military vehicles and armored vehicles.

It is equally possible, however, that this system will be implemented at some point in the civil automobile as well.

Source : newsbeast.gr