Photo: University of Michigan
About three months ago Ford unveiled the self-driving Fusion Hybrid research vehicle, which was developed in collaboration with the University of Michigan and State Farm.
Part of the company’s Blueprint for Mobility Plan, the automated sedan was fitted with four LiDAR infrared sensors that are able to scan the road 2.5 million times per second.
The technology can draw a picture of environment ahead within 200 feet and its sensors can tell the difference between a paper bag and a small animal from a football field away.
Ford didn’t say if or when this vehicle will go into production, but a recent announcement coming from the University of Michigan suggests that proper testing might begin by the end of the year.
Specifically, the University’s Board of Regents have approved the construction of an automated test track that will allow autonomous vehicles to be tested in “a dynamic urban environment” that will include “three lane-miles of roads with intersections, traffic signs and signals, sidewalks, benches, simulated buildings, street lights and obstacles such as construction barriers.”
The facility will cost $6.5 million and will be completed by fall 2014.
"There have been a host of innovations in this arena in recent years, but one of the major challenges ahead is to ensure that these vehicles can perform safely and reliably in a complex urban setting," said Peter Sweatman, director of the U-M Mobility Transformation Center. "Testing a workable system of such technologies in a realistic off-road environment is an essential step before a significant number of vehicles can be safely implemented on actual roadways."
In October 2013, the University of Michigan in collaboration with Ford opened a new battery lab that will develop smaller, lighter and cheaper batteries for electric vehicles.
The technology can draw a picture of environment ahead within 200 feet and its sensors can tell the difference between a paper bag and a small animal from a football field away.
Ford didn’t say if or when this vehicle will go into production, but a recent announcement coming from the University of Michigan suggests that proper testing might begin by the end of the year.
Specifically, the University’s Board of Regents have approved the construction of an automated test track that will allow autonomous vehicles to be tested in “a dynamic urban environment” that will include “three lane-miles of roads with intersections, traffic signs and signals, sidewalks, benches, simulated buildings, street lights and obstacles such as construction barriers.”
The facility will cost $6.5 million and will be completed by fall 2014.
"There have been a host of innovations in this arena in recent years, but one of the major challenges ahead is to ensure that these vehicles can perform safely and reliably in a complex urban setting," said Peter Sweatman, director of the U-M Mobility Transformation Center. "Testing a workable system of such technologies in a realistic off-road environment is an essential step before a significant number of vehicles can be safely implemented on actual roadways."
In October 2013, the University of Michigan in collaboration with Ford opened a new battery lab that will develop smaller, lighter and cheaper batteries for electric vehicles.
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