Autonomous Vehicles, LEAF and others...

[GRA]

Via GCC:

German government adopts ethics rules for automated driving

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/08 ... -bmvi.html

. . . The report of the Ethics Committee comprises a total of 20 theses. The key points are:

Automated and networked driving is ethically necessary if the systems cause fewer accidents than human drivers (positive risk assessment).

In the event of danger, the protection of human life always has top priority.

In the case of unavoidable accidents, any qualification of people according to personal characteristics (age, sex, physical or mental constitution) is not permitted.

In any driving situation, it is necessary to clearly define and identify who is responsible for the driving task: the human being or the computer.

The driver in control (human or car) must be documented and the data saved (e.g. to clarify possible liability issues)

. . . .

[GRA]

Via GCC:

Law firm forming autonomous vehicle industry group

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/08 ... igman.html

. . .

Honigman is leading the charge to help clients with guidance and strategies for the complex legal, business, IP and regulatory requirements related to autonomous vehicle technologies. We can help clients navigate the broad spectrum of issues and potential pitfalls throughout their product development and commercialization strategies.

—Steve Wernikoff

Honigman is responding to what it sees as a growing need for practical guidance as new laws and best practices are adopted by this emergent industry. Traditional automotive OEMs, suppliers and strategic investment entities are making significant investments in the autonomous space.

The industry group focuses on advising clients on the development, procurement, investment, patenting, use and licensing of these new technologies. Additionally, Honigman lawyers advise on related activities, such as the creation and development of autonomous vehicle research, development and testing facilities. The firm already has deep experience in the traditional automotive industry, as well as significant knowledge of the technologies used for autonomous vehicles, and the data privacy and cybersecurity concerns that commonly arise. . . .

[GRA]

Via GCC:

Are Autonomous Buses the Answer for Efficient Transportation and Reducing Emissions and Fuel Consumption?

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/08 ... chton.html

Driverless cars are poised to decongest personal car traffic, shrink our eco footprint, free up parking spaces and reduce the frequency of collisions by about 90%. This could result in a conservative estimate of $642 billion in cost savings. But as promising as autonomous private vehicles are, could self-driven buses outshine them?

Recent innovations in autonomous public transport. It’s not hard to imagine a computer program directing buses to pick up and drop off passengers, because it’s already being done. Autonomous bus prototypes have hit the streets in select areas around the world. In May 2017, Reno, Nevada, boasted that it is laying the groundwork for the industry’s first driverless bus program, launching a three-phase process to roll out a full fleet in its downtown area.

Arizona-based startup Local Motors has unveiled Olli (earlier post), a 12-passenger minibus that may hit university campuses in Las Vegas and Miami later this year. In Helsinki, Finland, two driverless buses were employed last year—one of the first programs of its kind. Likewise, a plan in Western Australia aims to do away with timetables, supplementing their autonomous transit system with an on-demand bus service that provides service to elderly and disabled people who don’t live along standard-route bus services. Shuttles like these emulate systems currently used in the Netherlands.

These kinds of programs seek to do more than economize public transportation. They aim to change the way humans think about public transit, making it their first choice, not last, for getting around. Otherwise, smaller driverless vehicles (including taxis, rideshare services and private cars) could potentially eliminate the need for public transit. After all, why remain beholden to a fixed bus route when a car can pick you up and drop you off door to door? . . . .

[GRA]

Via GCC:

Ford, Domino's Pizza team up for autonomous delivery in Ann Arbor

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/29/for ... ann-arbor/

While many people are still reluctant to take a ride in a vehicle that doesn't have a human driver at the wheel, a pizza doesn't harbor the same fears (thankfully, pizza hasn't become sentient yet) . . . Ford has partnered with Domino's Pizza to research pizza delivery using self-driving cars.

The program is taking place in Ann Arbor, Mich., using a Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle to deliver orders to randomly selected Domino's customers. If a customer agrees to participate, they'll be able to use an upgraded, GPS-powered version of the Domino's Tracker. When their order approaches, they'll get a text message with a code they can use to retrieve their pizza from a "Domino's Heatwave Compartment" through the car's rear window.

The vehicle will actually have a safety engineer in the driver's seat, with other researchers riding along, but the automated experience will simulate taking delivery from a robotic car. . . .

[GetOffYourGas]

Via GCC:

Ford, Domino's Pizza team up for autonomous delivery in Ann Arbor

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/29/for ... ann-arbor/

But who will walk my pizza to the front door? If I have to walk to the driveway, I might as well drive to the pizzeria!

[GRA]

Via GCC:

Ford, Domino's Pizza team up for autonomous delivery in Ann Arbor

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/08/29/for ... ann-arbor/

But who will walk my pizza to the front door? If I have to walk to the driveway, I might as well drive to the pizzeria!

That thought had occurred to me, but the Uber generation will presumably be willing to walk to the curb when they get a notification by smartphone that their pizza is waiting for them there . Alternatively, there will be a pizza-carrying, stair-climbing and doorbell-knocking delivery robot at some point.

[GRA]

Via GCC:

US DOT releases new automated driving systems guidance

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/09 ... 3-dot.html

The US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released new federal guidance for the implementation of autonomous driving: Automated Driving Systems (ADS): A Vision for Safety 2.0. This is the latest guidance for automated driving systems to industry and States; it replaces the earlier guidance document issued by the previous administration in September 2016 and offers a more flexible approach to advancing the innovation of automated vehicle safety technologies.

A Vision for Safety: 2.0 builds on the previous policy and incorporates feedback received through public comments and Congressional hearings. The 2.0 document provides voluntary guidance that encourages best practices and prioritizes safety. The document also provides technical assistance to States and best practices for policymakers. Specifically, the new Voluntary Guidance:

Focuses on SAE International Levels of Automation 3-5 – Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) – Conditional, High, and Full Automation);

Clarifies the guidance process and that entities do not need to wait to test or deploy their ADSs;

Revises unnecessary design elements from the safety self-assessment;

Aligns Federal Guidance with the latest developments and industry terminology; and

Clarifies Federal and State roles going forward. . . .

However, Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization division of Consumer Reports, criticized the new guidance as a move to weaken oversight of automated vehicles.

This is a clear step backward for consumer safety that sends a troubling message about the Transportation Department’s priorities under the new administration. On the same day that the NTSB announced Tesla’s Autopilot system played a ‘major role’ in a May 2016 fatal crash [earlier post], Secretary Chao indicated that the Department will go easy on automakers, and that it will expect them to do less to verify the safety of emerging automated vehicle systems. It’s an abdication of responsibility.

Self-driving cars have enormous potential to improve mobility and safety on our roads. But innovation must be accompanied by sensible, strong federal oversight. The Department of Transportation should be asking more of automakers, not less. NHTSA needs to be empowered to protect consumers against new hazards that may emerge, and to ensure automated systems work as they’re supposed to without placing consumers at risk. Given the Administration’s approach, it is more crucial than ever for Congress to substantially improve its automated vehicle legislation to prioritize safety and empower NHTSA.

—David Friedman, director of cars and product policy and analysis for Consumers Union

Direct link to the guidance document: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/13069a-ads2.0_090617_v9a_tag.pdf

[GRA]

Via GCC:

Cadillac embarks on first hands-free cross-country highway drive with Super Cruise

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/09 ... illac.html

. . .Super Cruise utilizes two advanced technology systems—a driver attention system and precision LiDAR map data.

A group of stakeholders and media will put the power of Super Cruise technology to the test in twelve Super Cruise-equipped Cadillac CT6 vehicles, which departed from Cadillac House in New York City and will travel to Los Angeles, California.

Crossing through 16 states, plus the District of Columbia . . . the drive program will make stops in major cities across the US including: Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; Santa Fe, New Mexico and Phoenix, Arizona. Super Cruise is Cadillac’s driver assistance feature which enables hands-free, driver-assisted operation on 130,000 miles of limited access, divided freeways in the US. . . .

Super Cruise will be available this fall in the 2018 Cadillac CT6.

By not limiting use (at least initially) of Super Cruise to the safest types of roads, with no oncoming or at-grade cross traffic that complicate the sensor and processing requirements, Cadillac seems to be running the same risk as Tesla which led to Joshua Brown's accident. Although they say not to use it other than on limited-access divided freeways, they apparently still allow it, else there would be no need for the warning. I wonder if they will change that given the NTSB finding in the Joshua Brown accident.

Super Cruise seems to be a Level 2 or 3 system, using a camera to monitor driver attention: http://www.cadillac.com/world-of-cadillac/innovation/super-cruise.html?ppc=GOOGLE_700000001297222_71700000025000383_58700003076487421_p24180568886&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7sK6wtDB1gIVgoFpCh32_gZcEAAYASAAEgJazPD_BwE

As the warnings on when not to use it include when visibility is limited or In slippery or other adverse conditions, including rain, sleet, fog, ice, or snow, IMO they should further limit its use to times when the headlights or windshield wipers aren't in use - turning either on should prevent turning Super Cruise on, or if already in use should disengage (safely) Super Cruise.

Also GCC:

Daimler Trucks testing truck platooning on public highways in the US

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/09/20170925-dtna.html

. . . In truck platooning, connectivity and automated driving improve safety within the vehicle convoys, support drivers and enhance efficiency through closer distances between the connected trucks.

Having started with successful trials on Daimler Trucks North America’s proving ground in Madras, Oregon, DTNA has received the appropriate permission from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). In a first step called “pairing”, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is testing its platooning technology in two connected Freightliner New Cascadia truck trailer combinations. . . .

In a joint effort with fleet customers, DTNA is working to understand how platooning technology may impact fleet operations (e.g. dispatch, logistics, driver training). In a joint effort with large fleet customers DTNA will test digitally connected trucks in every day transport business. With its Freightliner and Western Star brands Daimler Trucks is the market leader accounting for a 40% market share in the North American truck market. . . .

Wi-Fi-based vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V) interacts with Freightliner’s Detroit Assurance 4.0 driver assistance systems featuring Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Assist and Active Brake Assist 4. This technology offers fuel savings to the customer when two or more Freightliner trucks closely follow each other, lowering aerodynamic drag and adding safety, because V2V reaction times have dropped to about 0.2 or 0.3 seconds; humans response time is usually not faster than one second. . . .

[GRA]

Via ABG, another positive review of Cadillac's Super Cruise:

Cadillac Super Cruise — a hands-off review
It’s not self-driving, but it steers us toward an autonomous future

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/10/06/cadillac-super-cruise-hands-off-driving-review-autonomy/

Another ABG article details the system's safety measures:

Super Cruise’s failsafes
We discuss Cadillac's safety measures with the system's lead engineer.

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/10/06/cadillac-super-cruise-failsafes/

I'm very glad that they limit it to divided, controlled access highways for now. All companies should be doing that initially with their systems.

[GRA]

Via GCC:

Deutsche Post DHL Group, ZF deploying test fleet of autonomous electric delivery trucks based on NVIDIA Drive PX

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/10/20171010-dhl.html

. . . DPDHL will outfit electric light trucks with the ZF ProAI self-driving system, based on NVIDIA DRIVE PX technology (currently the Drive PX 2 AI platform), for automating package transportation and delivery, including the “last mile” of deliveries. Taking packages from a central point to their final destinations is considered the most complex and costliest aspect of courier and e-commerce deliveries.

ZF is delivering ZF ProAI as an in-vehicle system capable of over-the-air updates to add new features and capabilities throughout the life of the vehicle. It is also configured for V2X applications, so it can communicate with other vehicles and with the surrounding infrastructure. In addition, the learning and networking capacity of ZF ProAI can help make an entire vehicle fleet safer and more efficient by means of “swarm intelligence.”

DPDHL currently has a fleet of 3,400 StreetScooter electric delivery vehicles (earlier post), which can be equipped with ZF’s multiple sensors, including cameras, LiDAR and radar, that feed into the ZF ProAI system. This can enable the vehicle to use AI to understand its environment, plan a safe path forward, proceed along a selected route and park itself— ensuring deliveries can be made with greater accuracy and safety, and at lower cost. . . .

With Deutsche Post DHL Group and a number of third-party customers looking to cost-effectively increase range for use in other applications, the company is now producing the currently available model also with boosted performance: Joining the current vehicle that features a range of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and a top speed of approximately 85 km/h (53 mph) will be a new model that boasts a range of 200 kilometers (124 miles) and a top speed of around 120 km/h (75 mph).

In addition, Deutsche Post is now testing several hundred StreetScooter WORK L’s equipped for the first time with fuel cell drives. These vehicles could travel more than 500 kilometers (311 miles) and Deutsche Post DHL Group is planning test runs for the next two years.