FreakTakes Chuck Thorpe - How CMU Became an Autonomous Vehicle Powerhouse
10 snips
Jan 9, 2024 Chuck Thorpe, President of Clarkson University and a key figure in Carnegie Mellon’s autonomous vehicle research, shares insights into the university's groundbreaking work. He discusses the early days of autonomous vehicles, including CMU’s remarkable 1995 cross-country drive with minimal human intervention. Thorpe details the collaborative spirit that transformed CMU into a robotics powerhouse, highlighting innovative strategies in mentorship and project management. He emphasizes the importance of autonomy in research, fostering partnerships that advance technology, especially with DARPA.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
CMU's Strategic Reinvention Story
- Carnegie Mellon transformed itself from a regional engineering school into a national brand focused on distinct strengths.
- Leadership bet on robotics as a field where CMU could be top-tier globally, sparking major institutional change.
Interdisciplinary 'AI Plus' Model
- CMU's AI success arose from integrating AI with other disciplines, forming 'AI plus' fields like robotics and machine learning.
- This interdisciplinary approach expanded AI's impact far beyond pure theory.
Collaborative Grad Student Review
- Implement a departmental 'Black Friday' review where all faculty evaluate graduate student progress collaboratively.
- This discourages advisor abuse and fosters collective responsibility for student success.
