Hello, AIDA

We’re happy to report that you will soon be able to buy your very own K.I.T.T. Yes, the brainiacs at MIT are developing a personal robot to fit in the dashboard of your car, just like in the hit TV show Knight Rider.

It has big glowing eyes, a swiveling neck, makes a sad face if you speed. In addition to fulfilling our TV-fueled fantasies, this “affective intelligent driving agent” -- nicknamed AIDA -- has some practical applications as well.

Within a week it will learn your route to and from home. After a few more days, it can help you avoid traffic jams and remind you to fill up your gas tank. It’s not as sleek as the Batmobile and it can’t drive itself like Herbie the Love Bug, but AIDA definitely has a mind of her own.

Popular Science: MIT Introduces a Friendly Robot Companion For Your Dashboard

MIT Media Relations: MIT researchers develop Affective Intelligent Driving Agent (AIDA)

(Photos courtesy the SENSEable City Lab)