蘋果首次公布自動駕駛研究論文

據路透社報道，蘋果上述論文發表在公共網站arXiv，研究人員提交最終版論文以前通常在該網站先發布，征求初步的反饋。據報道，論文透露的重磅發現是，蘋果開發出LiDAR（激光雷達）技術新的運用方式，名叫VoxelNet。理論上說，該技術可以幫自動駕駛汽車更容易判斷周圍物體的位置，包括騎自行車的人和行人，以便及時避開。

蘋果的首席執行官蒂姆·庫克此前稱自動駕駛汽車為“所有人工智能項目之源”，但蘋果從未披露研發相關技術的計劃。

如今公開這項研究意味著，蘋果已經準備好將計劃進一步推進，或許是在向業內其他研究者征詢意見并收集反饋。此舉也可能幫助蘋果招徠自動駕駛領域的人才，為之后的激烈競爭儲備力量。（財富中文網）

譯者：Pessy

審校：夏林

The paper was published on the public site arXiv, where researchers traditionally publish work to get preliminary feedback before publishing research in its final form, Reuters reports. The biggest takeaway from the report is that Apple has discovered a new way to use LiDAR technology called VoxelNet. The tech would, in theory, make it easier for autonomous vehicles to determine the location of objects, including things like cyclists and pedestrians, to better avoid them.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has called self-driving cars “the mother of all AI projects,” but the company has yet to disclose Apple’s plans for the technology.

Making the research public suggests that the company is ready to be more forthcoming with its plans, and perhaps seek advice and feedback from other researchers working in the field. The move may also potentially entice potential hires in the autonomous vehicle space to consider joining Apple over its competition.