Delphi launches first known coast-to-coast autonomous car test
The competition continues to grow in making an autonomous vehicle. While Volvo, Mercedes, Google and many others have gotten the publicity, testing is still a difficult process. Google for example, living in a warm area, may have problems with snow. So when Delphi, a developer and supplier of technology to automotive companies, announced that they are going coast-to-coast with an autonomous car, that means something big is happening.
“Now it’s time to put our vehicle to the ultimate test by broadening the range of driving conditions.”
In order to demonstrate the sensors and all the tech involved with this custom Audi, Delphi is driving 3,500 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge and arriving just in time for the New York City Auto Show. This would be the first known drive across the U.S. for any company, allowing Delphi to gather and test changing conditions and events that happen on the fly. And don't worry, there will be somebody behind the steering wheel if a problem were to arise.
Some of the technology that will be included in the car are:
- Radar, vision and Advanced Drive Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- Multi-domain controller: High-end microprocessor to seamlessly drive multiple features and functions
- V2V/V2X: Wireless vehicle communication technology extends the range of existing ADAS functionality
- Intelligent software that enables the vehicle to make complex, human-like decisions for real-world automated driving
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Automated Highway Pilot with Lane Change (on-ramp to off-ramp highway pilot)
- Automated Urban Pilot
- Automated Parking and Valet
So, what conditions can be expected when driving 3,500 miles? Stopping and then proceeding at a four way stop, registering traffic light changes, timing a highway merge, maneuvering around a bicyclist on a city street are just to name a few. The weather will also play a roll with sun, clouds, rain, but snow doesn't seem to be invited to the party this time around. Previously these cars were only driving in California and Las Vegas, most recently at CES 2015.
