2015-03-27
Driverless cars on track in Bay Area
Michael Cabanatuan
“…Shladover expects fully automated cars to be operating on freeways and possibly on some city streets in the 2020 to 2025 range, but not in dense urban areas like downtown San Francisco before the 2030s. It could take another 20 years before blind or disabled people are able to hop in a car and have it take them to their destination. Not everyone is so conservative…”
Hmmm… Yes, Steve continues to be most conservative; however, it may just be on how he defines “fully”. However, nothing is ever fully in a strict mathematical sense. He may be wildly optimistic by expecting the mathematically unachievable to be achievable by a finite date. :-)
Alain
Car Crash Videos Highlight Risk of Multitasking With Phones
By Matt Richtel, March 25, 2015
“Memo to parents: Distracted driving by teenagers is riskier than previously thought, particularly when it comes to multitasking with a cellphone. This is one finding of research being published on Wednesday that provides sobering video evidence of the extent and nature of the problem.
The study entailed putting video cameras in the cars of drivers ages 16 to 19, allowing researchers to watch the excruciating moments before nearly 1,700 crashes. Time and time again, teenagers in the videos — which will be made available to the public — lose themselves in their devices and then are jarred back to reality when they slam into another car or careen off the road.
The study, published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, found that distraction was the cause of roughly 60 percent of moderate and severe crashes. The study says this is four times as many as some previous government estimates…” Read more and watch video!!
This is why AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, Samsung and Apple should all be investing in SmartDrivingCars. They are the root-cause of the problem. If their services to be available while the car is moving, they are going to have to invest to make the car drive itself! Else, they should withdraw from that business segment! Alain
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles - The UK Economic Opportunity
March 2015
This report examines how these innovative vehicles will transform the UK economy – expanding our industrial base, improving safety and congestion, driving up productivity and freeing up space usually devoted to vehicles in our urban areas. Read more
Hmmm … A good thought provoking report but not as good as KPMG’s two previous reports (1, 2).
I continue to disagree with their placing of connectivity in front of automation and their findings on page 21 are not well supported and too simplistic. Safety is at the bottom? Infrastructure investments is to support the connectivity part which adds marginal value at best. Alain
Nvidia’s Powerful New Computer Helps Teach Cars to Drive
Alex Davies Gear, 03.24.15
“…Nvidia, which makes semiconductors and components for video game rigs, has been working with automakers for nearly a decade, powering things like digital dashboards and infotainment systems. Products like its Tegra processors can be found in the Tesla Model S (think of that 17-inch touchscreen), and about 8 million BMW, VW, and Honda automobiles.
As its processors have gotten more powerful, Nvidia has moved into a space where that juice can be used to take on more computation, including a new breed of artificial intelligence called deep learning. Deep learning services typically provide things like speech recognition and natural language translation over the internet, from massive computer data centers. But Nvidia wants to squeeze that kind of power into cars. The result is Drive PX, “a powerful self-driving car computer” that anyone with a bit of dough—developers, researchers, automakers—can use to work on cars that don’t need humans behind the wheel….” Read more
Some Very Good Mercedes Videos that I just found:
Autonomous Driving: The Future of Intelligent Drive
Autonomous Driving Car with Mercedes S-Class S500 Intelligent Drive Explanation - Autogefühl
Mercedes Autonomous Driving Car Concept F015 “Luxury in Motion” overview - Autogefühl
Some other thoughts that deserve your time:
German Plane Carrying 150 Crashes in French Alps
NICOLA CLARK
An Airbus A320 operated by Germanwings, a budget subsidiary of Lufthansa, crashed in southern France while en route from Barcelona to Düsseldorf. It was carrying 144 passengers and six crew members.
Hmmm…Maybe we shouldn’t Read more. Not very pretty. It was obvious from the flight data NYT included in its first report on Monday about those 11 last minutes that this was not an accident. Ironically while fixing one problem, we created another. Unfortunately, this will likely be true with all of the efforts that we are making with SmartDrivingCars. Even with this limit to human ingenuity it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t continue to move forward for the greater good, realizing that we may indeed get blind-sided by a scenario that was way beyond our wildest imaginations.
What this reality does trigger is a question about why we have two pilots or even any pilot in the cockpit. Pilots are reading instruments and sensing tactile feedback from controls, then trying to figure out what to do. Why does a pilot need to be sitting in such close proximity to those sensors that generate the instrument readings and the controls that provide the feedback? Maybe the Pilot doesn’t even need to be on the plane? Would an algorithm be just as good if not better? OK, the passengers might think that it looks bad. But why are there fighter jet pilots? No passengers there! Just some thoughts. What a horrible event! Alain
FMCSA announces new smartphone app providing safety data on interstate commercial truck and bus companies
Washington, March 17 – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced a new smartphone app that will allow for more convenient access to online safety performance information for interstate truck and bus companies.
“By making currently available safety information on interstate truck and bus companies more easily accessible for both law enforcement personnel and the general public, we are providing greater transparency while making our roadways safer for everyone. Safety is our highest priority, so we are committed to using every resource available at our finger tips to ensure the safety of travelers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Called “QCMobile,” (QC standing for “Query Central”), the new app is expected to be a particularly valuable tool for state and federal law enforcement personnel, as well as insurers, brokers, freight-forwarders, and others interested in reviewing the USDOT registration and safety performance information of motor carriers. Read more
Google patent focuses on pedestrian protection in vehicle impact
Nancy Owano
Hmmm… I thought that the Google car wasn’t going to hit any pedestrians? I guess that they are hedging their bets. :-) Alain
Recompiled Old News:
Tesla Model S: Summer Software Update Will Enable Autonomous Driving
By Evan Ackerman, 23 Mar 2015
“…Tesla’s “autopilot” mode should arrive in about three months, with version 7.0 of the Tesla software, according to Musk. Specifically, you’ll be able to go from on-ramp to off-ramp on highways and “major roads” (whatever that means), using the Tesla’s existing active safety systems, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot, front, and side collision warning sensors, along with (presumably) cameras that can recognize lane markers….” Read more
It is your car, you are responsible. I’m sure that the “agreement” that the owner will need to “accept” in order to turn on the functionality will require the user to remain diligent and responsible. While that may not be enough to avoid all litigation, it will give Tesla at least some protection. However, at some point regulations will catch up with technology and recognize that automated driving is indeed safer than human driving and will “bless” it much as anti-lock brakes are “blessed” over conventional brakes today. Alain
Delphi and CMU spinout Ottomatika partner to accelerate automated driving; “connected automation”
22 November 2014
“Delphi Automotive PLC, which already offers a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, will partner with Ottomatika, Inc., a spinout from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) led by Dr. Raj Rajkumar which provides advanced automated driving software, jointly to develop technology that will help accelerate automated driving…” Read more
NHTSA Urged to Mandate Truck Crash Avoidance Technology
David Cullen, Feb. 20, 2015
“Four highway-safety lobbies have petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to initiate a rulemaking that would require forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking (F-CAM) systems on all new trucks and buses rated at 10,000 pounds or more GVW. The lobbies argue that specific technology exists that would markedly reduce truck-related crashes if it were mandated on commercial vehicles.
“F-CAM technology uses radar and sensors to first alert the driver and then to apply the brakes when a crash is imminent,” explained a statement jointly released by the petitioning groups: Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; Truck Safety Coalition; Center for Auto Safety, and Road Safe America… Read more
Half-baked stuff that probably doesn’t deserve your time:
This is how big connected cars will be in regions around the world
John Greenough, Mar. 24, 2015
“2015 will undoubtedly be the year of the connected car. In their recent annual report, BMW Group CEO Norbert Reithofer said connecting the car to the internet will change the auto industry more than the shift to electric and hybrid cars…. Read more
Hmmm… Woops… This is about connecting the car to the internet (so that drivers can be distracted even more). Never mind!!!. Alain
GM has built a smart car that keeps teens from being stupid
Jonathan Fisher Mar 20, 2015
“For all the worried parents of teenage drivers out there, GM has your back…” Read more
Hmmm… Unfortunately, they mostly spying on what the teenager is doing in the car as opposed to really helping them by automatically avoiding crashes and automatically keeping them from straying out of the driving lane. GM, you can and should more. Alain
C’mon Man! (These folks didn’t get/read the memo)
Missouri Engineer Wants I-70 Rebuilt to Support Vehicles with No Drivers
03/25/2015
“…“Smart pavement is a pre-cast pavement system that has a variety of sensors in the pavement and communication services to provide location and navigation information to support driver-less vehicles,” said Sylvester….” Read more
Hmmm… Pre-cast sensors in pavement… How much does that cost to install and maintain?? This concept violates a fundamental law of transport systems… the “way” must be as inexpensive as possible. This of: “air”ways, “water”ways, “rail”ways, “road”ways. Investment is placed in the vehicles, the way is as inexpensive as possible. Same is fundamentally true about automated road vehicles: Put the investments in the vehicles not the roadway. Just… C’Mon Man! Alain
Calendar of Upcoming Events:
Autonomous/Connected Vehicle Summit Concord Hilton, Concord CA March 31, 2015
1st Workshop - Socio-economic impact of road transport automation
March 30, 31, 20
Webinar
April 22, 15:00 GMT
What to plan for when planning for Automated Transit Networks discussed will be the key aspects of assessing whether advanced transit systems such as personal rapid transit (PRT) and group rapid transit (GRT) are a fit with the application’s requirements and characteristics. Featured expert speakers represent ARUP, Lea Elliott and PRT Consulting.
Call for Papers
http://www.driverlesstransportation.com/event/automated-vehicles-symposium-2015
Elon Musk Says Self-Driving Tesla Cars Will Be in the U.S. by Summer
Aaron Kessle, March 19, 2015
“For many drivers who commute long distances, the prospect of owning a self-driving car — where a driver takes his hands off the wheel and feet off the gas — has been an elusive dream. But on Thursday, Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla, took a big step in that direction when he announced that the maker of high-end electric cars would introduce autonomous technology by this summer. The technology would allow drivers to have their cars take control on what he called “major roads” like highways.
Mr. Musk said that a software update — not a repair performed by a mechanic — would give Tesla’s Model S sedans the ability to start driving themselves, at least part of the time, in a hands-free mode that the company refers to as autopilot…” Read more
Hmmm…. I may have to eat my insinuations that Musk was all talk and no “walk” with respect to SmartDrivingCars. I’m ordering up a big plate of crow if indeed he releases the software upgrade that actually implements the non-trivial elements of Tesla’s Autopilot which today are all show and no go. Alain
Video shows SMART bus slam into multiple vehicles in West Bloomfield
Mar 3, 2015
Kimberly Gill, Police say bus driver told officers he fell asleep right before collision Video shows a SMART bus slam into several vehicles Oct. 21, 2014 on Maple Road between Middlebelt and Inkster roads in West Bloomfield. Read more
Hmmm… Should have never happened. Bus should not have crashed. It is incumbent on the Transit Industry to install Automated Collision Avoidance Systems in ALL their buses. If they won’t do it voluntarily, the insurance industry and OSHA should force them. Alain
Safety Advocates Call on U.S. DOT to Issue Rule Requiring Crash Avoidance Technology for Large Trucks
Feb 19, 2015
“Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Truck Safety Coalition, the Center for Auto Safety and Road Safe America, filed a petition today with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting that the agency initiate rulemaking to require forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking (F-CAM) systems on all new large trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more. F-CAM technology uses radar and sensors to first alert the driver and then to apply the brakes when a crash is imminent…. Petition for Rule Making (PDF); Petition Crash List (PDF); Press Release (PDF)”
Read more
to lead development of driverless car technology
The pathway to driverless cars: summary report and action plan
The pathway to driverless cars: a detailed review of regulations for automated vehicle technologies
The above review identifies issues that need to be addressed to enable automated vehicle technology testing on UK roads whilst maintaining high levels of road safety. It covers the best and safest ways to trial vehicles where a qualified individual is present who is capable of taking control of the car. It also looks further ahead, to the implications of potential use of fully autonomous vehicles. Read more Plus read speech
Hmmm…
Looks like the UK wants to take the lead. Do we want to watch or help? Plenty for all of us to do. Alain
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Germany’s A9 autobahn to become test track for self-driving cars
Tony Borroz, Jan. 27, 2015
“Germany’s Minister of Transport has announced a project that will see a section of the A9 autobahn that connects Berlin and Munich set it up for autonomous vehicle testing.
Hanging digital bells and whistles on the A9 will include infrastructure provisions for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, as well as liberating a chunk of the 700 MHz radio spectrum so the test cars can talk back and forth. The project is expected to get underway later this year….” Read more This is interesting. Alain
January 29, 2015
NHTSA adding automatic braking to recommended safety tech list
Jan 25 “…US Department Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced the addition of two automatic emergency braking systems to the recommended list of safety features under the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)…
Emergency braking systems are slowly becoming the norm in safety evaluations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety now requires it for a model to earn a Top Safety Pick + rating, and the tech is a must to score five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test.
Be sure to read the included Foxx’s Press Release:
“PRESS RELEASE
January 22, 2015, WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to add two cutting-edge automatic emergency braking systems to the recommended advanced safety features included under its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) – the latest step in a half-century of safety innovations that have saved more than 600,000 lives, according to new research NHTSA released today….” Read more Hmmm… this is really good. Especially if the “plan” is actually implemented and if it is extended to buses and trucks. Alain
January 22, 2015
State-wide aTaxi Service
Serving New Jersey’s Personal Mobility Needs with the Casual Sharing of autonomousTaxis (aTaxis): Land Use, Personal Travel Demand, Casual Ride-sharing Potential, Fleet Size Requirements and Empty aTaxi Management. Orf 467F14 Student Reports for each of New Jersey’s counties.
Even though these are unedited student reports they contain substantial information and perspectives on the opportunities and challenges for aTaxis to adequately serve the majority of New Jersey’s mobility needs. While there are significant causal ride sharing opportunities during peak hours in peak directions, sufficient to eliminate congestion, and aTaxis can substantially increase the utilization (by a multiple of 5) of NJ Transit’s rail system by providing efficient and high quality “last mile” mobility to/from rail stations, it is unlikely that average vehicle occupancy (AVO = personTripMiles/aTaxiMiles) for all trips, all day could reach a level of 2.0. Moreover, that is before one accounts for empty aTaxi repositioning that enables the sharing of aTaxis. These reports are the first that begin to address the empty aTaxis problem. It is non-trivial especially if one wishes to have multiple sized aTaxis so as to have the size of the serving aTaxi more closely match the number of shared rides that are being served. The spatial-temporal imbalances of the shared-ride demand seem to impose a great deal of empty repositioning.
It may well turn out that having only four passenger aTaxis may be better than having a fleet consisting of 2 and 6 passenger aTaxis. The reduction in empty repositioning of a uniform fleet of aTaxis may well compensate for the extra energy consumed by a larger aTaxi when a smaller two passenger aTaxis could have done the job and the foregoing of some shared riding when two four passenger aTaxis need to be used because a single 6 passenger aTaxis was not available to serve the six travelers. Alain
January 4, 2015
New York Bus Driver Arrested After Fatally Striking Pedestrian
MARC SANTORA DEC. 24, 2014 “A Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus driver was arrested on Wednesday after his bus struck and killed a 78-year-old man on Tuesday night in Brooklyn. The driver, Reginald Prescott, was charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian and violation of highway law, the police said.
Mr. Prescott, 57, was driving a B44 bus eastbound on Farragut Road in East Flatbush when he made a turn onto New York Avenue around 6 p.m., according to the police. As he was making the turn, Jean Bonne-Annee was crossing the street and was struck by the bus, the police said…” Read more
Hmmm… Tragic for everyone. Such accidents would be largely avoidable if transit buses were equipped with pedestrian detection and automated collision avoidance systems that are almost at hand. These systems are close to being ready for “prime time”. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA, whose main mission is safety!) could substantially accelerate the effectiveness and adoption of such technology by focusing some of its research budget on this technology. Alain
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