FYRIRLESTRAMARAÞON HR 2011 | RU LECTURE MARATHON 2011

Dr. Ari K. Jónsson

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION: LESSONS FROM MARS

Towards Sustainable Mobility

• Balance is key– Available energy– Use of energy

• Renewable energy– Lower production– Sometimes irregular

• Energy usage– Driven by behavior– Systems play a role

Motivating Example: Mars• Limited energy production

– But renewable• Cyclical and irregular power

– Solar panels• Systems operations critical

– Utilize energy well• Behavior is dominating

– Operate within budget– Achieve all objectives

A day in the life of a Mars rover

10

CPU is on CPU

RAT

MI

CommD

Pic Pic

CPU

Comm

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CPU

Comm

Battery charge

DaytimeCharging batteriesDoing science activitiesDrivingCommunicating

NighttimeSleepingHeatingCommunications

So, what is the problem?• Scientist objectives

– Gather data– Move rover

• Energy limits– Battery status– Sunlight forecast

• Outcome– Plan for rover– Happy scientists

Software part of solution

Artificial IntelligenceAssistance System

Lessons for Sustainable Mobility• Can be sustainable when you have to be

– Power production– Power usage

• Software and systems play a key role– Achieve more with less– Support changed behavior

• Application to energy and mobility– What changes when applied to humans

• Some steps in that direction

Interdisciplinary Approach• Not focus only on hardware and social

– Software and behavior are keys• System must change behavior

– Example: Electric car rental at RU– Engineering developed car– CS developed reservation systems– Management set up access and incentives

• Looks promising

Final words• Sustainability always theoretically possible

– But, often requires impossible changes• Need to balance desire and cost

– Increase level of sustainability– Improve behavior to match supply

• Technology can help– Assist humans in achieving goals sensibly– Operate systems as effectively as possible– Combine the two – move one step closer