Evolution of Connected Vehicle Technology-From Smart Drivers to Smart Cars to..Self Driving Cars

The European Institute for Telecommunication Standards (ETSI) has already specified the CAM and DENM messages. SPaT and TOPO are currently handled on a project-by-project basis. This system gives the intelligent processing units (ITS-S) of the receiving traffic participants, e.g. a vehicle, the opportunity to acquire information about the immediately relevant traffic situation over a broad area and to warn the vehicle driver, if necessary, or even intervene in vehicle control. BMW and Siemens have demonstrated in 2010 a trial system that transmits data between traffic lights and the vehicle to optimise the automatic engine start-stop function and the recovery of braking energy when approaching a traffic light. Current vehicles use sensors to constantly gather information about such things as speed, the environment, or the traffic ahead. Networking the cars makes it possible to warn the vehicles behind about icy roads, traffic jams, or similar situations. Energy efficiency can be improved and fuel consumption reduced if the automatic engine stop-start system from BMW Efficient Dynamics knows the traffic signal cycles.

Technology Scan and Free Webinars on CV

The Technology Scan and Assessment is a series of ongoing studies available for free and either as live or recorded webinars that track trends, technologies, and innovations that could influence, or be leveraged as part of, next-generation intelligent transportation systems within a five to seven year time horizon. The webinar series covers a number of new technology-enabled systems that may potentially interface with a future Dedicated Short Range Communication ?connected vehicle? core system.

Autonomous Cars/ Self Driving/ Driverless Cars ? Are we there yet?

One of the most significant obstacles to the proliferation of autonomous cars is the fact that they are illegal on most public roads. The Nevada Legislature passed a law in June 2011 to authorise the use of autonomous cars becoming the first jurisdiction in the world where autonomous vehicles might be legally operated on public roads. The bill was signed into law by Nevada?s Governor on June 16, 2011. According to the law, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) is responsible for setting safety and performance standards and the agency is responsible for designating areas where autonomous cars may be tested.
In September 2012, California passed a bill allowing the legalisation of driverless cars in the state of California which also requires the California Department of Motor Vehicles to draft regulations by 2015. An autonomous vehicle fulfills transportation capabilities of a traditional car while sensing its environment, and navigating on its own using such techniques as radar, lidar, GPS and computer vision with the key distinction being that it is not driven by a human. Advanced control systems interpret the information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacles and relevant signage. Autonomous vehicles typically update their maps based on sensory input, such that they can navigate through uncharted environments.