[Jason]

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360-degree collision avoidance and fully automated parking in multistorey car parks

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Vehicle automation – the next stage.

360-degree collision avoidance and fully automated parking in multistorey car parks.

At CES 2014 last year, BMW demonstrated how highly automated driving using advanced control technology can cope with all driving situations right up to the vehicle’s dynamic limits. Now, at CES 2015, the company is showing how new sensors can be used to move to the next stage – fully collision-free, fully automated driving. This latest milestone from the BMW Group is a further step on the road towards accident-free personal mobility in both driver- operated and fully automated, driverless vehicles.

Video demonstration:

360-degree collision avoidance is based on precise position and environment sensing. Four highly advanced laser scanners monitor the surroundings of the research vehicle (a BMW i3) and accurately identify obstacles, such as pillars in multistorey car parks. An audible signal warns the driver in a potential collision situation. As a last resort, for example if the vehicle is approaching a wall or pillar too quickly, it is also possible to initiate automatic braking, bringing the vehicle to a standstill with centimetre accuracy. If the driver steers away from the obstacle or reverses direction, braking is automatically interrupted. This function reduces strain on the driver in difficult-to-monitor driving environments for improved safety and convenience. Just like any other BMW assistance system, this research application can also be overridden by the driver at any time.

Fully automated parking in multistorey car parks – quick and safe, even without a driver.

The fully automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant in the BMW i3 research vehicle combines the information obtained by onboard laser scanners with the digital plan of a building, for example a multistorey car park. When the driver activates the fully automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant, using his smartwatch, the vehicle is driven quickly and autonomously through the various parking levels to a parking space. In the meantime, the driver can already be on the way to his next appointment. The fully automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant and its sensors accurately detect not only the physical features of the building but also any unexpected obstacles – such as incorrectly parked vehicles – and, equally accurately, will steer a course around them. When the BMW i3 reaches its final parking position, it parks and automatically locks itself. It then waits to be summoned in due course by a smartwatch voice command. On receiving such a command, the fully automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant calculates the exact time the driver will be back at the car park, and then starts the BMW i3 so that it reaches the car park exit in time for the driver’s arrival.

Navigation without GPS signals.

By integrating vehicle sensor data with the digital car park plan, BMW has made it possible to control the vehicle fully automatically without having to rely on a GPS signal. The research vehicle is equipped not only with laser sensors but also with computing modules and algorithms, allowing it to precisely determine its position in the car park, to perfectly monitor its surroundings and to navigate autonomously and fully automatically. This allows vehicles to orientate themselves and navigate without going to the expense of fitting the car park – or other facility – with special infrastructure.

Longstanding experience of vehicle automation.

BMW Active Assist is another example of the BMW Group’s role as a world- leading pioneer in the development of partially automated and highly automated driving systems.

Back in October 2009, the BMW Group’s precursor research project BMW Track Trainer already demonstrated a highly automated system capable of following an ideal line around the Nürburgring North Loop, the most challenging racing circuit in the world. The BMW Track Trainer then went on to demonstrate its effectiveness on the Laguna Seca, Zandvoort, Valencia, Hockenheimring and Lausitzring circuits as well. Under conditions which made extreme demands in terms of vehicle control and positioning, it allowed the research team to gather valuable practical experience.

Further important insights were provided by the BMW Emergency Stop Assistant research project. If the driver is incapacitated by a medical emergency such as a heart attack, this system is able to switch to highly automated driving mode and bring the vehicle safely to a stop at the side of the road before automatically calling for help.

In mid-2011, a BMW Group test vehicle drove automatically and with no driver intervention along a stretch of the A9 motorway, heading from Munich towards Nuremberg. Since then this research prototype, which brakes, accelerates and overtakes other vehicles entirely autonomously, while keeping pace with other traffic at speeds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) and always observing traffic rules, has been undergoing continuous optimisation. In the meantime, approximately 20,000 kilometres (12,500 miles) of testing has been carried out. The sensing is performed by technologies that include lidar, radar, ultrasound and camera scanning.

Since January 2013, the BMW Group has been working with international automotive supplier Continental to take this project forward. The main goal of this research partnership is to get highly automated driving functions ready for implementation by 2020 or beyond.

The different degrees of vehicle automation.

All driver assistance systems enhance driving safety and convenience – but to differing degrees. Fully automated assistance systems provide the highest level of automation.

Fully automated driving functions do not need to be monitored by the driver. As demonstrated with the fully automated Remote Valet Parking Assistant, it is not even necessary for a driver to be aboard the vehicle.

Highly automated systems, the next stage down from fully automated driving, do not require continuous monitoring by the driver. They provide both longitudinal control (control of forward and reverse motion) and lateral control (control of lateral motion, by steering).

Partially automated systems, on the other hand, although able to provide longitudinal and lateral control (e.g. Traffic Jam Assist), must be monitored by the driver at all times.

In the case of assisted driving functions (e.g. ACC), the assistance system simply plays a driver-supporting role in the longitudinal or lateral control of the vehicle.

[pilot_bro2003]

So when is this going to make it into production? MB already has similar in their new S Class.

[aajami]

BMW is coming on strong at CES.

[Small Yellow]

People are going to crash like crazy after they get into a normal car. **Floor accelerator when backing up parallel parking**

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Small Yellow

People are going to crash like crazy after they get into a normal car. **Floor accelerator when backing up parallel parking**

This is so true. As people become more reliant on technology they forget how to act normally. The side mirror alerts are another place that disaster could happen due to relaxing one's mind

That said the technology is quite cool

[Vervain]

We live in exciting times.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Vervain

We live in exciting times.

Yes indeed.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

This is so true. As people become more reliant on technology they forget how to act normally. The side mirror alerts are another place that disaster could happen due to relaxing one's mind

That said the technology is quite cool

+1

I was thinking the more and more automatic and "safe" cars get the more valuable it would be to, say once a year, sit in a shopping trolley and get towed at 60mph just to remind yourself exactly what it is you are doing in terms of physics when you are sat in a vehicle.

That said I wouldn't do it. Maybe a glass bottomed car would have a similar effect