Ford drives autonomy into the dark side
From the snowy carparks of Michigan to the vast black expanse of Arizona, Ford’s taken its autonomous vehicles research one step further by demonstrating how its LiDAR technology works without sunlight.
The research team, at the Ford Arizona proving ground, donned night vision goggles in order to test the Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicle’s systems under the cover of night, without the aid of traffic lights or white road markings. The LiDAR and virtual driving software operates by sending out 2.8million laser pulses per second to detect and scan the surrounding environment. the high-resolution 3D maps created, allow the car to monitor topography, geography and landmarks, as well as pinpointing exactly where the car is.
Ford research scientist and engineer Wayne Williams said it was quite an experience. “Inside the car, I could feel it moving, but when I looked out the window, I only saw darkness,” he said. “I rode in the back seat, I was following the car’s progression in real time using computer monitoring. It stayed precisely on track along the winding roads.”
Ford’s press release states that it is ideal for the car to use all three forms of sensors – radar, cameras and LiDAR – the latter’s technology alone allows it to operate independently without lights or signage. FoMoCo says its sights are firmly set on achieving SAE International Level 4 of vehicles automation, requiring virtually no input from the driver. They’ll increase their research vehicle fleet to 30 across Michigan, Arizona and California in 2016.
LiDAR sensors can perform beyond the limits of human drivers.
Ford boffins finally find an excuse to bring out the night vision toys.
LiDAR scans the environment where humans would need headlights or a carrot-only diet.
