Jaguar Land Rover demonstrates its Autonomous Urban Drive technology
Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated its Autonomous Urban Drive technology which allows a vehicle to operate autonomously around town, recognising traffic signs and more…
JAGUAR LAND ROVER (JLR)will roll out autonomous drive functionality on its vehicles within the next decade and has today demonstrated the ability of its Autonomous Urban Drive technology. In a statement, JLR said the prototype system allows “a vehicle to operate autonomously through a city, obeying traffic lights as well as negotiating T-junctions and roundabouts”.
According to JLR, it brings its vehicles a step closer to achieving level four autonomy (see below for breakdown of levels). But, in short, level four autonomous vehicles can carry out the entire driving task for specific environments such as towns and cities without any driver intervention.
A Range Rover Sport is being used as the development vehicle and at a demonstration today in the UK passengers could select a location and then the vehicle would not just determine the best route, but also navigate its way to that route. “Jaguar Land Rover is developing both fully- and semi-autonomous vehicle technologies to offer customers a choice of an engaged or autonomous drive, while maintaining an enjoyable and safe driving experience,” JLR said in a statement.
Tony Harper, Director of Engineering Research, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The automotive landscape is changing faster today than ever before. As a technology company, our innovation is continuous and our cars of the future will become more capable, cleaner, more connected, more desirable and smarter.
“Our Autonomous Urban Drive research is Jaguar Land Rover’s next step in our development of both fully and semi-autonomous vehicle technologies. However, we aren’t looking at simply replacing the driver, and making cars ‘driverless’. Future technologies will give the driver more not less – they will assist and ultimately enhance the driving experience.”
Connected vehicle technologies:
Intersection Collision Risk Warning (ICRW) warns the driver in advance when it is not safe to enter an intersection because of a high probability of a collision. ICRW could reduce the number (and severity) of collisions and reduce congestion.
In Vehicle Signage (IVS) sends road and traffic information such as roadworks or a change of speed limit directly to the car’s display, minimising dependence on physical roadside signs. This connected technology aims to reduce accidents and congestion.
Emergency Vehicle Warning (EVW) tells drivers when an emergency vehicle is approaching, and from which direction. This connected technology aims to improve safety, reduce journey time for the emergency vehicle and cut congestion by helping drivers pull over more quickly and less stressfully.
Levels of autonomy
Level 0 – No Automation: There is no automation, the driver is in sole control of the vehicle.
Level 1 – Driver Assistance: The driver has assistance for one function eg cruise control.
Level 2 – Partial Automation: The driver has assistance for two functions eg speed and steering such as Traffic Jam Assist.
Level 3 – Conditional Automation: The car undertakes normal driving functions autonomously in a specific environment but the driver may be required to retake control if the environment is too challenging.
Level 4 – High Automation: The car can operate independently in specific environments such as urban environments or motorways, without any driver intervention.
Level 5 – Full Automation: No human control of the vehicle is needed. The vehicle can complete a journey without any human intervention.
