Volvo cars have always swept us off our feet with their uniqueness and systems providing updated and precise solutions. This has made it possible for their brilliant idea of self-driving cars integrated into real traffic situations with just everyday people in the hot seat. Impossible to achieve, you say? Well, full-fledged answers were given in a very interactive press conference.
“We are entering uncharted territory in the field of autonomous driving,” says Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development of Volvo Car Group. “Taking the exciting step to a public pilot, with the ambition to enable ordinary people to sit behind the wheel in normal traffic on public roads, has never been done before.”
As a part of the Drive Me project, Volvo cars has been working towards the goal of placing 100 self-driving cars with the wheel in the hands of their customers on selected roads in Gothenburg by 2017. They aim to achieve collision-free driving in the coming years, and the public pilot is a major part of this goal. The Drive me system involves major components for effortless transit including Sensor technologies ,Combined radar and camera, Surround radars, 360° surround vision using caleras, Multiple beam laser scanner, Trifocal camera, Long-range radars, Ultrasonic sensors, High definition 3D digital map, High performance positioning and Cloud services.
“Autonomous driving will fundamentally change the way we look at driving. In the future, you will be able to choose between autonomous and active driving,” says Dr Mertens
The best way to achieve a completely self-sufficient driving system is to prepare for the worst. Volvo has captured this essence by it's thorough analysis of potential technical glitches or faults that may arise. This was possible by an extensive web of sensors and global positioning systems by using cloud computing technology and intelligent braking and steering systems.
The Autopilot system designed by Volvo Cars, with it's backup systems was so dependable that it dictates all aspects of the autarchic, independant driving mode. Dr.Eric Caelingh, a technical Specialist at Volvo Cars has rightly pointed out that it is easy to build a self driving concept vehicle, but difficult to create an impact with a safe, robust and an affordable driving system for customers.
So, it follows that the real challenge lies in designing an Autopilot system that not only accounts for potential errors that may occur, but also proves it's toughness in traffic. It is also foreseen that this system shall be equipped to handle the most complicated traffic as well as emergency scenarios.
Eric Coelingh says that in potential emergency situations, the car reacts faster than humans.
Eric Coelingh also says that while achieving a 99% reliable complex system may not be good enough, he says we needs to get much closer to the 100% mark before letting autonomous cars mix with real-time driving situations.
These systems have also been given the option of handing over control to the driver in cases of poor weather conditions or technical errors. One of it's disaster management strategies include bringing the car to a stop incase a driver is indisposed.
Not only has the autonomous system eased life and made the commute very comfortable for humans, But it also incorporates technology which is fuel efficient and includes cost-efficient investments in infrastructure.
“Developing a complete technological solution for self-driving cars is a major step. Once the public pilot is up and running, it will provide us with valuable knowledge about implementing self-driving cars in the traffic environment, and help us explore how they can contribute to sustainable mobility. Our smart vehicles are a key part of the solution, but a broad societal approach is vital to offer sustainable personal mobility in the future. This unique cross-functional co-operation is the key to a successful implementation of self-driving vehicles,” says Erik Coelingh.
Source: Autobei
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