No Drivers Necessary

Google's self-driving car now cruising around the streets of Austin

Google Self-Driving Car Project Lexus RX 450h 2015

Google has taken to the streets of Austin to test out its Self-Driving Car Project.

Notice anything new on the streets of Austin? Tech giant Google is rolling out its Self-Driving Car Project in the Capital City this week. Plans for a self-driving car have been in the works since 2009. In six years, Google has gone from the drawing board to driving around Mountain View, California in the revolutionary vehicle. Now it's time for new terrain.

Austin is a perfect playground for the project, thanks to local Google offices and the varied landscape. "From pedicabs to pickup trucks, Austin’s streets will give our self-driving car some new learning experiences so we can continue to refine our software and understand how different communities perceive it," said Jennifer Haroon, head of business operations for the project, in a release.

Cruising around Austin is a Lexus RX450h, which has been outfitted with all the necessary sensors and software.

For a few weeks, Google safety drivers have been driving the car around a few square miles north and northeast of downtown. They've created a detailed map of the streets — including lane markers, traffic signals, curb heights and "keep clear" zones — to help the car understand its surroundings.

In the past few days, the software and sensors have started doing the driving. Don't worry: Two "safety drivers" are in the vehicle at all times. If the initial testing goes well, the team will take the self-driving car to more areas of town. There is currently one self-driving Lexus in Austin; another will arrive later this week.

Austin officials support Google's endeavor. "Keeping Austin's roads safe is one of our highest priorities, so we look forward to seeing how self-driving car technology might someday improve traffic safety," Police Chief Art Acevedo said in the release.

"Technology that never gets distracted or tired or irritable behind the wheel could make a real difference."

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SKIN IN THE GAME

Renowned Hill Country tattoo artist inks new sacred geometry app

Photo courtesy of Dillon Forte

Dillion Forte at his "tattoo ranch" in the Texas Hill Country.

In the world of tattooing, there may seem to be few better rat traps left to build, but Dillon Forte aims to change that. In October, the renowned Wimberley-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur introduced a new iPadOS app to bring ancient symbology into the digital age.

Forte has made a worldwide name for his black dot work (a contemporary take on stick-and-poke techniques) and ambitious undertakings like tattooing underwater and opening a “tattoo ranch.” His ink appears on Usher, Chris Hemsworth, and Kehlani.

Still, he is most recognized for his sacred geometry designs, using patterns to convey various meanings. His interest led him to create the Sacred Geometry Drawing App, a convenient way for novices and experts to develop and export their creations.

The app grew out of his own practice. Over the past decade, he has used tablets and freehand techniques to achieve his highly symmetrical artwork but grew to realize existing tools were not always easy to use.

“The app is an attempt and fulfillment of my desire to make sacred geometry accessible and bring the ability to create into the fingertips of as many people as possible,” Forte tells CultureMap via email, adding a tagline: “symmetry made simply.”

He says he wished the app was available when developing his signature style as a tattoo artist, but it was designed with a broad range of users in mind. He hopes that designers, educators, and artists will find a use for it.

A short intro to the app's capabilities is available on YouTube. It looks like a standard drawing app, starting with a blank canvas and some tools like pens, pencils, colors, and of course, straight line and dot makers.

A "symmetry index" anchors the functionality and expands it to something between 2D art and 3D modeling. In addition to generating shapes like repeating patterns and spirals, the app also creates 3D shapes with grids, so that the artist can map their design in real space or even create sculptures. There is also an index for explaining the spiritual meaning of some standard designs.

“Geometry often prompts an intimidating feeling when it comes to making art,” Forte continues. “The fundamentally complex and often academic nature of math-based art can induce a sense of fear in the potential user instead of creating a sense of awe. The purpose of the sacred geometry app is to cultivate the latter."

Creatives interested in constructing their own geometric masterpieces can download the app at the App Store for free, and in-app purchases are available.

technology apps tattoos arts