VTT and KTM Nordic Oy (KTM) have started cooperation to equip the KTM motorcycle with similar technical data transmission and environment perception systems as VTT’s automated vehicles.  The vehicle safety systems and sensors are intended to make motorcycles more visible to other vehicles and traffic safer and more efficient than before.

VTT has received international recognition for the development of automated vehicles and their sensors and software, especially for difficult conditions. VTT is currently conducting research in more than ten international and domestic traffic automation and 5G and ITS-G5 communication projects and assignments. In addition to automated cars and machinery (Martti, Marilyn, Pate and eLvira), the research is now extended to also include powered two-wheelers (PTW).

The advancement of traffic automation has already introduced vehicles with smart sensors such as radars, laser scanners and cameras used for automatic image recognition into traffic. These sensors are used in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to detect and identify people, vehicles and objects located and moving in the vehicles’ immediate surroundings. Human driving and perception errors are the main cause of traffic accidents, and only very rarely is a technical failure of a vehicle the biggest factor contributing to an accident. In the next few years, advanced driver assistance systems will evolve towards AI-controlled vehicles enabling automated driving.

In this scenario of the future transport system, it is important to consider motorcycles as well. According to Dutch studies^*), the sensors of driver assistance systems in current passenger cars, such as adaptive cruise control radar or camera, do not detect, much less identify a motorcycle unless it is ridden in the middle of the lane and/or at least in the centre line of the car’s direction of movement. In practice, the situation is even more challenging as regards smaller mopeds.

“Our work focuses on the development and research of vehicle environment perception and new communication systems. The aim is not to develop an autonomously ridden motorcycle; instead, the research emphasises the suitability and functionality of equipment, software and services operating in the motorcycle environment. The goal is to research and test how to make the motorcycle a smart part of the future transport system, and our research bike named Jarno plays an integral part in this”, says Principal Scientist Aki Lumiaho from VTT’s RobotCar Crew research team.

^*) Westerband, E., ‘Adaptive Cruise Control & Motorcycle Recognition‘, RDW (2018) and
Rood, R., ‘ADAS Testing, Hoe reageren Advanced Driver Assistance Systemen op motorrijders?‘, RDW (2018)

Read the original news article on VTT’s web page.

Japanese SB Drive announces a collaboration with Finnish Sensible 4 on self-driving technology integration for autonomous shuttles.

SoftBank’s self-driving subsidiary, SB Drive, has started a collaboration with Finnish autonomous driving technology company Sensible 4. The primary purpose of the cooperation is to accelerate the implementation of autonomous shuttles in Europe and Japan and bring them faster to mainstream adoption.

The collaboration takes first place in Finland, where SB Drive has started as a supplier for Sensible 4 within the EU funded FABULOS project. SB Drive’s Dispatcher will be tested with Sensible 4’s self-driving shuttle bus GACHA – addressing key challenges and opportunities related to autonomous driving. During the FABULOS project, GACHA, as well as other autonomous vehicles from Sensible 4, will be tested on public roads. Mobility services will also be provided to address local transportation needs.

Sensible 4 CEO, Harri Santamala: “For Sensible 4, the Japanese market is very exciting. We are building partnerships to provide solutions to the automotive industry and consequently improve the mobility of our societies. Our approach has been to focus on our core technologies and partnering with companies such as SB Drive, to jointly offer more than each partner could do separately. We decided together to have a pragmatic approach to this collaboration, and hence started it by integrating SB Drive’s Dispatcher to our full-stack solution to utilize it with our ongoing GACHA pilots in Finland.”

Companies aim at self-driving operations in both EU and Japan

SB Drive’s autonomous vehicle platform was integrated last year with Sensible 4’s self-driving vehicle system. The two companies are also looking into other use cases for cooperation – aiming to work towards an OEM partnership in the future with concrete self-driving operations in both EU and Japan.

SB Drive’s Dispatcher is a fleet management system able to remotely operate multiple autonomous vehicles, providing passenger monitoring and vehicle overwatch. The platform also features AI technology, capable of detecting movement within the vehicle. The system can warn passengers to prevent in-vehicle accidents as well as remotely controlling vehicles based on the operator’s needs.

GACHA developed by Sensible 4 is the world’s first autonomous shuttle bus capable of driving in all weather conditions and environments. The unique driverless vehicle has won multiple awards both for its design and outstanding driving capabilities.

Sensible 4 develop full-stack software solutions for autonomous vehicles and focuses on self-driving in difficult weather conditions – a crucial problem for driverless vehicles up to date.

More Information:

Harri Santamala, CEO
harri.santamala@sensible4.fi
https://www.sensible4.fi

Read the original news article on Sensible4’s website.

GACHA’s first pilot program for 2020 has started in Kivistö, Vantaa. From 14 January 2020 to 13 February 2020, GACHA will be driving a 3,4 km route starting at the Kivistö train station – with stops at five other locations. Operations take place from Tuesday to Thursday between 10-12 and 13-15. The program is open for the public and free of charge.

The schedule may vary, so please check https://www.sensible4.fi/pilots/  for any potential updates.

The pilot is done in cooperation Vantaan Kaupunki, Suomen kasvukäytävä and Uudenmaan Liitto.

Read the original news article on Sensible4’s website.