Advanced driver assistance systems nowadays move on from single-purpose functions to integrated automated driving as showcased in functions such as “Distronic plus” (automated driving in stop-and-go situations) or even fully automated highway driving. In parallel, cooperative functions are getting closer to market introduction, proving technical maturity and effects on traffic safety and efficiency in Field-operational Trials such as simTD or DRIVE C2X.
The cooperative driving group of Fraunhofer FOKUS aims to adapt cooperation into novel driver assistance systems, by combining experience from fields of research and development. Communication offers novel insights to driver assistance, that no other sensor can provide: a look “inside” other vehicles. As such it is possible to share knowledge, intentions and maps between vehicles. These local dynamic maps enable vehicles to “see around the corner” or even beyond sensor range with multi-hop communication. Intelligent integration of cellular communication allows to share aggregated knowledge even further.
High-automated vehicles and autonomous vehicles can go one step further: by communicating these vehicles can negotiate and conduct cooperative driving maneuvers. Constraints such as low-penetration rates, reliability, security and trust in wireless communication are key factors for feasibility of these functions. The investigation and prototyping of such novel applications is in the focus of the cooperative driver assistance systems group. High-precision digital maps are a key requirement for all current high-automated and autonomous vehicles. These maps are created initially as 3D high resolution scan and provide landmarks for localization and attributes for driving behavior – but roads and road properties change over time! By combining the distributed knowledge of the highly automated vehicles driving on these roads, a cooperative adaptive map service can be created – combining precision and timeliness of information. Fraunhofer FOKUS is working with industry leaders on creation of these state-of-the-art adaptive map services.
Bridging the gap from driver-controlled to fully autonomous vehicles
There will be near-future situations, in which highly automated and autonomous vehicles will also utilize a remote human operator. For example, a truck that can’t drive autonomously from the company premises to a loading ramp because it has no access to digital maps of the private property. Or an autonomous car that must navigate an unforeseen construction zone.
With the solution of Fraunhofer FOKUS the operator can control the vehicle realistically, with a steering wheel and accelerator, or brake pedal. A map with the current route is viewed on a second monitor. The decisive factor for safe tele-operation is that the data transmission of both the environmental data and the control signals produce as little delay as possible.
Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems