Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.
Issue link: https://insideunmanned.epubxp.com/i/470284
41 unmanned systems inside Spring 2014 ground " " Not only can automated vehicles potentially improve traffic safety and efficiency but, because driving aids compensate for sensory or motoric challenges, they may give individuals physically unable to drive added mobility. Automated vehicle control also makes it possible for drivers to pursue other activities, such as writing, reading, or simply relaxing and watching the scenery, instead of deal- ing with annoyances such as stop-and-go traffic. The Research Many industry and university players are working to further improve on-vehicle technology, related highway infrastructure, and to holistically under- stand respective human, societal, environmental, and legal implications. Car manufacturers and major component suppliers have demonstrated research vehicles that can—without human in- tervention—drive in gridlocked traffic and handle challenging situations such as swerving around an obstacle or safe cornering even on very low fric- tion surfaces such as black ice (within the limits of physics, of course). Some were even able to find a parking spot after the driver exited the vehicle. These research programs are often pursued in industry-academia collaboration as the uni- versities bring in their expertise in computer vision, machine learning, and vehicle control. Over the last 35 years the results of these col- laborations have led to driving aids that warn and inform the driver (e.g. navigation system, parking assistance, lane departure warning) or assist the driver in dangerous and tedious situ- ations (e.g. antilock braking system, lane keep- ing assistance, automated emergency braking). Such systems are evolving, allowing steering and velocity control to combine for driving aids such as traffic jam assist and automated parallel parking. The next steps include concepts that al- low these vehicles to drive on highways without human intervention, which might require a cer- tain communication or roadway infrastructure. At the same time new players, such as IT com- panies and technology startups—often in col- laboration with or supported by universities— have designed vehicles that are equipped with sophisticated laser vision systems and camera technology that feed into artificial intelligence units, automating the entire journey—shaping a completely different paradigm for driving. Vision vs. Reality The vision for automated driving seems clear: humans are taken out of the loop, a computer controls the automobile as it automatically proceeds to the desired destination, and the driver enjoys a relaxed or otherwise productive commute with an unprec- edented level of safety. However, while realizing such con- Such systems are evolving, allowing steering and velocity control to combine for driving aids such as traffi c jam assist and automated parallel parking. Current U.S. traffi c pattern consists of human-driven vehicles 250 million Photo courtesy of pressroom.toyota.com