University of Michigan harnesses IBM cognitive computing for solar car race... as IBM partners with Box

Technology will analyse cloud cover...as IBM announces partnership with collaboration firm Box

A University of Michigan team is using cognitive computing developed by IBM in its bid to win the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, an 1,800-mile race across the Australian Outback involving solar-powered cars.

IBM's cognitive computing software uses natural language processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence to collect and analyse data from a variety of sources.

News of the partnership comes shortly after IBM announced plans to extend its Watson platform to offer developers a new set of cognitive APIs, technologies and artificial intelligence tools through the Watson Developer Cloud.

The University of Michigan (UM) Solar Car Team will use this cognitive computing power to gain real-time insights into conditions such as cloud cover and wind patterns as well as determine how much solar power will be available to fuel their car along the course.

Machine learning techniques blend data from sensor networks and local weather stations, cloud motion physics derived from sky cameras and satellite observations, and multiple weather prediction models in order to provide the best insight possible.

"The University of Michigan has been competing in solar car races for 25 years. In the past, we have not been able to capture and analyse the variety and amount of cloud data needed to confidently impact our race strategy," said Pavan Naik, programme manager for the UM Solar Car Team.

"This year, IBM's solar forecasting technology will allow us to know where the clouds are, where they are going, and where we should go faster in order to chase the sun," he added.

The partnership between the University of Michigan and IBM is also designed to improve solar forecasting technology and to develop new techniques that can help improve forecasting accuracy.

"We are excited to explore how cognitive computing can augment the capabilities of this extraordinary group of students at the University of Michigan to compete in the World Solar Challenge," explained Dario Gil, vice president of science and technology, IBM Research. "

"We are using physical analytics to combine our understanding of the physical world with two of the most exciting fields in computer science - data analytics and machine learning - which will lead to new innovations that can transform industries," he said.

Box Partnership

Yesterday, IBM and Box revealed that they're working together to provide "the first set of solutions to power next generation enterprise content management and cloud-based collaboration as part of its global strategic partnership".

"Enterprise content management has long been a business critical technology, but its promise has been unfulfilled in a modern workplace that is dominated by mobile devices, cloud applications, and all new ways of working," said Whitney Bouck, senior vice president and general manager of enterprise at Box.

"The Box and IBM partnership re-imagines enterprise content management and collaboration for the digital enterprise, meeting the deepest of security and control requirements while unlocking content experiences and digital business processes that were not previously possible," she continued.

Bix and IBM are "committed to a rapid pace of joint innovation" Bouck concluded.