BIRMINGHAM, UK - 6th January 2005 - Trials for Phase 2 of the Auto Taxi project, lead by TRW Conekt, have been successfully completed at the test area in Cardiff. The success of these trials bring the project closer to its objective of developing the requirements for a safety-critical sensor system that will provide robust detection of the environment around an autonomous lightweight vehicle operating on a segregated track.
Auto Taxi is a two year project, part-funded by the DTI's Foresight Vehicle Link Programme, focussed on developing technologies for use in mass-market vehicles by the year 2020. The collaboration comprises Conekt as lead partner, Advanced Transport Systems Limited, Praxis Critical Systems Limited, Bristol University and Warwick University, bringing together in-depth knowledge of advanced sensing systems, transportation systems and safety engineering.
Dr Alastair Buchanan, Electrical Systems Manager, TRW Conekt, and Project Coordinator for Auto Taxi, said:
"The problem of urban transport has long been in need of re-evaluation as we move forward into the 21st Century, and there is a great need for new technology to address transportation problems we currently face such as traffic congestion. The Auto Taxi project will provide important new enabling technologies leading to increased safety and performance, being applicable to both passenger vehicles and new transport systems."
In Phase 1 of the project, a suite of sensors was chosen that represented state-of-the-art automotive technology. Video (TRW Conekt's Lane Departure Warning video unit), radar (TRW's Autocruise AC10 ACC), lidar and ultrasonic sensors were used with minimal modification to evaluate their basic performance in the Auto Taxi environment. Phase 2 was designed to provide some limited enhancement to the performance of the existing sensors, while introducing two novel prototype systems. These were a stereo video system and an LED (light emitting diode) rangefinder.
The trials for Phase 2 showed, in particular, great potential for the new LED rangefinder system. The data is currently being used in the final development of the fusion algorithms and these results will be published as a final project report in mid 2005.
Ends
AutoTaxi is a two-year collaborative project of a consortium comprised of TRW Conekt, Advanced Transport Systems Limited, Praxis Critical Systems Limited, Bristol University and Warwick University. Regular updates can be found on the Internet at www.auto-taxi.co.uk.
TRW Conekt is the consultancy arm of TRW and brings together key services in engineering, knowledge and technology. TRW Conekt is based on over 40 years of R&D experience in the automotive, aerospace, professional and industrial sectors. It generates major competitive advantage through new ideas and the application of science and technology in product development and manufacturing. Further information on Conekt's full range of services and capabilities can be found on our website, www.conekt.net.
