Ford wants to build from 2021 autonomous cars

Cologne, 30th December 2016

2013, Ford introduced its first autonomous mobile research vehicles. An improved prototype follows as its predecessor on the fusion, hybrid (which is in this country, Mondeo) is based. Leaner LiDAR sensors are among the improvements over the old research institution (light detection and ranging), of which only two instead of four are required. Also the processing power of the computer in the trunk has been improved.

LiDAR, radar and cameras

Both LiDAR sensors are the size of ice hockey pucks and located on the A-pillars of the merger. They produce a radiation grid around the car around and scan to an area of about two football fields. This, they capture not only location, but also size and shape of objects. In addition, there are three cameras, which are placed in a kind of roof railing and one on the windscreen. Thus recognized, among other things, whether a traffic light showing red or green. In addition the car radar sensors, they even when visibility is poor (when the cameras are almost blind) has still deliver data.

The hybrid approach by Ford

The computer in the trunk provides the computing power of multiple high end PCs and processed a data set of one terabyte per hour. A software developed by Ford that generates a model of the environment. These two types of environment perception be merged: mediated and direct perception. The former compares the sensor data with the high-resolution maps and can position themselves. Because static environment factors such as traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrian crossings are listed in the navigation data, also these static objects can be considered. The direct perception requires more computing power. Because this have you recognized the dynamic objects such as pedestrians, cyclists or other cars and calculated their movement. Even gestures like the hands of a police officer are interpreted.

Autonomous Ford vehicles from 2021

To provide the power for the entire additional technology, engineers tap into the high-voltage battery of the fusion hybrid. Because the amount of energy stored is not sufficient future autonomous cars to have in addition a power generator on board. Ford is working on such challenges in the next few years. From 2021, the Americans want to produce then autonomous cars in large series. But not for the normal driver, but for mobility services such as ride sharing and ride hailing. These cars will then no longer have steering wheels and pedals. In the year 2017, Ford first tripled its autonomous test fleet in the United States of currently 30 to about 90 vehicles. In Europe, Ford wants to resume testing operation 2017. (sl)

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