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
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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
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