Alexandra Ossola reports for Popular Science that MIT researchers have determined that by cheating on emissions tests, Volkswagen could cause 60 premature deaths in the U.S. “The researchers estimated the impact on public health…by calculating the effects of more fine particulates, ozone, and nitrous oxide,” writes Ossola.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard have determined that emissions resulting from Volkswagen’s rigged inspections will cause 60 premature deaths in the U.S., reports Robert Preidt for U.S. News & World Report. The researchers found that “if VW recalls every affected vehicle by the end of 2016, more than 130 additional deaths may be prevented,” writes Preidt.
CNBC reporter Robert Ferris writes about a study by researchers from MIT and Harvard that examines the impacts of Volkswagen cheating on emissions tests. “Volkswagen's cars have emitted 40 times the amount of noxious nitrogen oxide (NOx) than the limit proscribed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” Ferris explains.
Nina Godlewski writes for Boston.com that a new study co-authored by MIT researchers found that approximately 60 people in the U.S. will die prematurely due to Volkswagen’s cheating on emissions tests. Godlewski explains that, “if the automaker fails to recall all of the affected vehicles by the end of 2016, more deaths may occur.”
Atlantic reporter Robinson Meyer speaks with Prof. Steven Barrett about his research showing that 140 people will die prematurely if Volkswagen vehicles outfitted with emissions-cheating devices are not recalled. Barrett says that if the cars are returned, “most of those 140 deaths would be averted.”
Prof. David Mindell speaks with Moira Gunn of KQED’s Tech Nation about his book “Our Robots, Ourselves,” and the future of autonomy. “All software embeds human values in one way or another,” says Mindell. “When we think about autonomy and driving, what are those values that are going to be embedded in our software?”
Prof. Sherry Turkle speaks with Arianna Huffington about her new book and how smartphones affect our ability to connect with one another. Turkle explains that her research shows “we are too busy connecting to have the conversations that count.”
Matthew Nisbet, a professor at Northeastern University who focuses on climate change communication, writes for The Conversation about MIT’s Climate Action Plan. Nisbet writes that MIT’s plan can “serve as a model for how major research universities can accelerate effective societal actions on climate change by collaborating with a diversity of industry members.”
In an excerpt from Prof. David Mindell’s new book published on Slate, Mindell argues that humans have a presence on Mars thanks to rovers that are exploring the planet and are controlled by human operators on Earth. “The rovers are more like programmable, mobile laboratories than scientists, physical more than cognitive surrogates,” writes Mindell.
MIT researchers have developed a self-sustaining water-purification system for a remote Mexican village, according to The Guardian. “The villagers are able to operate and maintain the water purification system themselves,” The Guardian reports.
In honor of “Back to the Future II,” in which Marty McFly travels 30 years into the future, BBC reporter Jane O’Brien speaks with Media Lab Director Joi Ito about how technology might advance over the next 30 years. Ito says that his “dream invention is machine learning artificial intelligence that connects directly to my brain in some non-invasive way.”
Richard Waters of the Financial Times writes about Prof. David Mindell’s new book, “Our Robots, Ourselves,” which examines robotics and automation. Waters writes that, “Mindell brings an altogether refreshing perspective to a field that can sometimes get lost in the ‘what if.’”
Forbes reporter Bruce Dorminey writes about a new MIT study showing that refueling at the moon would make Mars missions more efficient. Prof. Olivier de Weck explains that this strategy could “represent a savings of $5.8 billion per mission.”
In an article for Wired, Cara McGoogan writes about Prof. Hiroshi Ishii’s vision for the future of technology. We need to "envision what kind of future we want to create," explains Ishii. "To inspire people, to make them think differently. Art is so important as a driving force."
John Charles, vice president of IS&T, speaks with Josephine Wolff of The Atlantic about the need to protect computer security on university campuses, while still maintaining academic openness. “To support high-velocity collaboration, high-velocity innovation, high-velocity research and do it at scale…we have to make sure we don’t put barriers in place that make it more difficult,” explains Charles.