True scalability in robotics won’t come from full autonomy or direct control, but from mixed-initiative teaming—a collaborative, context-aware system where humans and AI dynamically share control based on strengths, performance, and mission needs. By prioritizing humanity-centered design and distributed intelligence over centralized command, we can enable resilient swarming behaviors that are not only more effective but also more ethical in complex, real-world environments.
Tag: Swarm
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Becoming Swarm: How Our Approach to Self-Driving Must Change
After two decades of promises, autonomous vehicles have not delivered on safety, efficiency, or emissions, largely due to misplaced trust in centralized cloud systems and isolated onboard AI. To achieve the future we want—swift, synchronized, and safe mobility—we must adopt swarm intelligence, focusing on relative positioning, shared flow, and measurable safety rather than waiting for perfect autonomy from tech giants.
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Rethinking Autonomy: The Power of swarm intelligence
The collapse of major self-driving ventures stems not from a lack of intelligence, but from a flawed, cloud-dependent model that ignored the chaos of real-world conditions. True progress requires shifting from centralized path-planning to swarm intelligence—a decentralized, adaptive approach that prioritizes flow over control.
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Pumping the Brakes on Fully Autonomous Driving
While current self-driving strategies focus on individual AI and centralized cloud control, true road safety and efficiency will come from swarm intelligence—vehicles synchronizing with one another through real-time, peer-to-peer communication and positioning. To achieve this, the industry must shift from ideological hype to measurable safety metrics, enabling collective flow over individual autonomy.
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Oral History with Changemakers for Business Ethics – UCSD
This oral history features David Bruemmer, founder of Adaptive Motion Group (AMG), discussing his journey from childhood in Scotland to pioneering autonomous systems in robotics. Bruemmer emphasizes the importance of precise positioning and distributed autonomy in creating safe, efficient motion systems that integrate humans and machines. Drawing from his early fascination with robotics and experience at DARPA, he critiques centralized, server-dependent models of control in AI and autonomous vehicles. Instead, he advocates for peer-to-peer, fault-tolerant systems that enhance human autonomy and environmental awareness.
He also shares insights on entrepreneurship, storytelling as a vehicle for technological impact, and the deep connection between philosophical principles and real-world innovation. Throughout, Bruemmer reflects on the importance of ethical, intuitive, and human-centered technology as both a technical and societal imperative.