Skip to main content

Smart algorithm presents new way of seeing, may aid medical imaging

What does medical imaging have in common with self-driving cars?

A new imaging technology developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology could hold the answer. The technique may represent a breakthrough, as it permits researchers to recover visual information from light that has been scattered due to interactions with the environment, like dense fog and drizzle or even human tissue. This visible light information holds considerably more information than X-rays or ultrasound waves.

Recommended Videos

“One of the problem with X-rays is that it’s very hard to distinguish between different types of tissue,” Guy Satat, a graduate student at MIT’s Media Lab, told Digital Trends. “That’s why biopsies and more invasive procedures are needed. But if it was possible to create a system which could augment X-rays, or replace them in some cases, it would mean that some of these invasive procedures could be reduced or avoided altogether. That’s really the Holy Grail for our research.”

diagram
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The same principle, Satat said, is true for foggy or drizzly conditions, which present current autonomous car technology with a major challenge.

“The problem with seeing through these weather conditions is that you also have an optical scattering effect,” he continued. “As a result of this optical scattering, it’s not possible to achieve the necessary contrast to distinguish between different objects the autonomous car is seeing.”

The MIT-developed technology is essentially a camera with a smart algorithm that uses both light and time to create an image of what it is that has scattered photons in a particular way. By working out how long it it takes individual photons to reach the camera lens, the algorithm can then reverse-engineer a conclusion about what the light has passed through to get there.

In addition to better self-driving car visual recognition systems, and medical imaging which doesn’t require patients to undergo doses of radiation or surgery, other applications for the technique could include helping satellite images “see” through clouds.

In one long-term example Satat enjoyed discussing, he noted that it could even be possible to have a portable device capable of looking through fruit in supermarkets to tell how ripe it is.

Right now, the work is still in its relatively early research stages, but it certainly hints at some fascinating use-cases going forward. What’s not to get excited about?

Luke Dormehl
I'm a UK-based tech writer covering Cool Tech at Digital Trends. I've also written for Fast Company, Wired, the Guardian…
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more
Charlie Cox singles out his least favorite Daredevil: Born Again episode
Charlie Cox in Daredevil: Born Again.

Daredevil: Born Again season 1 was largely reconceived after the 2023 actor and writer strikes. Dario Scardapane -- a veteran of The Punisher series on Netflix -- was brought in to be the new showrunner and he made a lot of changes to the series that were well-received. However, there's one episode that Scardapane didn't really change at all, and it happens to be the least favorite episode of Daredevil: Born Again's leading man, Charlie Cox.

During an appearance on The Playlist, Cox noted that he wasn't very fond of the season's fifth episode, "With Interest," which was a largely standalone episode that featured his character, Matt Murdock, in a bank during a hostage crisis.

Read more