Highly-Automated Driving in Congestion and through Roadworks
Advanced driver assistance system helps drivers carry out arduous and tiring tasks. Continental uses technologies already in production to demonstrate the potential of highly-automated driving.
Frankfurt am Main / Bor책s (Sweden), June 21, 2011. A highly-automated assistance system for roadworks and congestion, two typical examples of complex traffic scenarios, is being demonstrated today by Continental, the international automotive supplier, at the Final Event of the EU funded research project HAVEit. The assistant can cope with complex driving requirements through roadworks and also assumes responsibility for automatically starting and stopping in congested traffic (repetitive stop and go maneuvers), thus relieving drivers of tasks which are both arduous and monotonous. However, the driver still needs to constantly monitor the situation. The assistance system assumes partial control of the vehicle not only in a longitudinal direction, as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for example already does today, but also when moving to either side. A further new feature is that the system recognizes demanding traffic lane instructions and, to an extent, even contradictory lane marking arrangements such as cones, concrete walls, central dividers or yellow road markings, in addition to detecting other road users who may be pulling out, cutting in or driving alongside. This is achieved through a new development in sensor fusion of already existing series production radar and camera technologies. The system builds on several advanced driver assistance systems which are already available today: Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Emergency Brake Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition. "As part of the HAVEit project, the assistance system for roadworks and congestion shows what is possible through intelligent sensor fusion. These functions are carried out by sensors and actuators which are either already installed in vehicles as standard or which shortly will be", said Dr. Stefan L체ke, Head of Advanced Driver Assistance System Development in the Advanced Engineering department of Continental's Chassis & Safety Division. Data from the radars and camera create a picture of the car's surroundings, recording the position of lane markings, cones and barriers as well as obstacles in the next lane, such as other vehicles. Individual application modules use this information to compute the current situation and take decisions. They can, for example, calculate the trajectory within the appropriate length of roadway in front of the vehicle along which the vehicle must travel. The assistance system for roadworks and congestion at times assumes complete responsibility for guiding the vehicle within its lane, thus considerably relieving the stress experienced by the driver. In addition, 24Ghz sensors are installed in the rear of the vehicle and monitor whether changing lane would result in a dangerous situation. Despite its technical complexity, the overall operating and intervention concept developed in the HAVEit project offers drivers maximum benefits. PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)
The research vehicle was developed by Continental's Chassis & Safety Division in Frankfurt. In addition to the assistance system's short-, medium- and long-range radar sensors and its mono-camera, Continental also supplies those components which are essential for controlling the vehicle and for informing or warning the driver. These include the intelligent Accelerator Force Feedback Pedal (AFFP®) as well as an adapted braking system and a steering system which together provide automated assistance both longitudinally and laterally. "The system is designed in such a way that it can be overridden at any time by the driver. Using a stereo camera offers major potential for future development since it can significantly simplify the sensor setup and improve recognition and interpretation of the vehicle's immediate surroundings still further" added Dr. Lüke. Driving maneuvers: from semi-automated to highly automated driving The functions of the assistance system for roadworks and congestion will be demonstrated at today's HAVEit Final Event: starting with the standard driving mode, the vehicle will then, after activation of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), adopt the partial or longitudinally-automated mode so that the driver no longer has to operate the acceleratorand brake pedals. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) will maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front. The second stage – the highly-automated mode – adds lateral automation to the longitudinal automation, meaning that the driver no longer has to steer. Instead, the assistance system automatically keeps to the appropriate, and usually narrower, lane. The assistant also recognizes road signs and adjusts the speed accordingly. So as to ensure safe automated driving, the other traffic lanes are also kept under observation and this prevents, for example, any overtaking on the inside at speeds of over 60 km/h – in this eventuality, the system applies the brakes. Another essential function is “Curve Overspeed Assistance”: This identifies bends in the road and applies the brakes if the vehicle is traveling too fast to negotiate the bend safely. Using a camera mounted in the vehicle interior, the assistance system observes the driver's behavior while the copilot drives in automated mode. If the driver is not paying attention to the road, for example, the system will switch off, automatically reduce speed and the driver must resume control of the vehicle. With this assistance system Continental offers the driver a further comfort function, which supports him to cope with the constant growth in traffic density which might result in ever increasing congestion and roadworks. According to a study carried out by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, there will, by 2025, be a 16 percent increase in private car transport (measured in kilometers per person) compared with 2004. About HAVEit The EU funded R&D project HAVEit („Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport“) is set to develop research concepts and technologies for highly automated driving. This will help to reduce the drivers’ workload, prevent accidents, reduce environmental impact and make traffic safer. Launched in February 2008, 17 European partners from the automotive and supply sector as well as from the scientific community collaborate in the project. In total, investments of EUR 28 million were made into HAVEit, EUR 17 million of which were EU grants and EUR 11 million were contributed by the 17 partners, of which EUR 7 million are invested by the automobile industry. The HAVEit consortium consists of vehicle manufacturers, automotive suppliers and scientific institutes from Germany, Sweden, France, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and Hungary: Continental, Volvo Technology AB, Volkswagen AG, EFKON AG, Sick AG, Haldex Brake Products AB, Knowllence, Explinovo GmbH, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), University of Athens, Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Universität Stuttgart, Institut für Luftfahrtsysteme, Wuerzburg Institute of Traffic Sciences GmbH, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (Inria), Institut français des sciences et PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)
technologies des transports, de l'aménagement et des réseaux (IFSTTAR). For further information please visit: www.haveit-eu.org With sales of €26 billion in 2010, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 155,000 employees in 45 countries. The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately €5.8 billion in 2010, 30,000 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately €4.7 billion in 2010, 27,000 employees) and Interior (sales of approximately €5.5 billion in 2010, 30,000 employees) achieved sales of approximately €16 billion in 2010. The Automotive Group is present in more than 170 locations worldwide. As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and produces innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future, in which cars provide individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and cost-efficiency. The Chassis & Safety Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics and -sensorics, washer systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and passive driving safety into ContiGuard®. The Powertrain Division integrates innovative and efficient system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and diesel injection systems, engine management, transmission control, including sensors and actuators, as well as fuel-supply systems and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives. Information management is at the very heart of the Interior Division, which provides a range of products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car-entry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control systems, telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems. Contact for journalists: Nicole Geissler External Communications Continental Division Chassis & Safety Guerickestraße 7 60488 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: +49 69 7603-8492 Fax: +49 69 7603-3945 nicole.geissler@continental-corporation.com
PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)