Artificial Intelligence Archives

Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes

Human beings have two eyes to view their surroundings as they drive, sending images to the brain which then makes the necessary decisions to brake or avoid hazards. When an on-board computer takes over the entire job of operating an autonomous car, two ‘eyes’ are not enough and a third sensor is needed. The first two eyes – already in use – are the camera and radar and the third is a long-range lidar sensor for light detection and ranging.

Bosch has a production-ready lidar system that is suitable for automotive use. This laser-based distance measurement technology is indispensable for driving functions at SAE Levels 3 to 5 (the different levels of autonomy). The new sensor will cover both long and close ranges – on highways and in the city.

By exploiting economies of scale, Bosch aims to reduce the price for the sophisticated technology and make it affordable for the mass market. “By filling the sensor gap, Bosch is making automated driving a viable possibility in the first place,” said Bosch Management Board Member, Harald Kroeger.

Alert to all automated driving situations
Only the parallel deployment of three sensor principles ensures that automated driving will offer maximum safety when it is available. This has been confirmed by Bosch analyses, where developers investigated all use cases of automated driving functions – from highway assist to fully automated driving in cities.

For example, if a motorcycle approaches an automated vehicle at high speed at a junction, lidar is needed in addition to camera and radar to ensure the reliable sensing of the two-wheeler. In this instance, radar can struggle to detect the bike’s narrow silhouette and plastic fairings. Moreover, a camera can always be dazzled by harsh light falling on it. As such, there is a need for radar, camera, and lidar, with the three technologies complementing each other perfectly and delivering reliable information in every driving situation.

Lidar is an essential element
We can think of laser as a ‘third eye’: in lidar systems, the sensor emits laser pulses and captures the laser light that is scattered back. The system then calculates distances based on the measured time it takes for the light to bounce back. Lidar offers very high resolution with a long range and a wide field of vision. As a result, the laser-based distance measurement tool can reliably detect even non-metallic objects at a great distance, such as rocks on the road. This means there is plenty of time to initiate driving manoeuvres such as braking or swerving.

At the same time, using lidar in vehicles exposes the lidar system’s components, such as the detector and the laser, to many stresses – above all, with regard to temperature resistance and reliability over the vehicle’s entire lifetime. Because Bosch can draw on its sensor expertise and systems know-how in the fields of radar and camera technology when developing the lidar, the company can ensure that all three sensor technologies dovetail with each other.

“We want to make automated driving safe, convenient, and fascinating. In this way, we will be making a decisive contribution to the mobility of the future,” said Kroeger. Bosch’s long-range lidar will fulfil all safety requirements for automated driving as well as enable automakers to efficiently integrate the technology into a very wide range of vehicle types in the future.

Artificial intelligence makes systems even safer
Recently, Bosch engineers succeeded in taking the camera technology used in cars to a new level by enhancing it with artificial intelligence. The camera technology detects objects, categorizes them into classes such as vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycles, and measures their movement. In congested urban traffic, the camera can also recognize and classify partially obscured or crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists quickly and reliably. This allows the vehicle to trigger a warning or an emergency braking manoeuvre as required.

The engineers are also continuously refining radar technology. The latest generation of Bosch radar sensors is even better at capturing the vehicle’s surroundings – even in bad weather or poor light conditions. Their greater detection range, wide aperture, and high angular separability are the basis for this improved performance.

Honda e previews connectivity features you could get tomorrow

CONNECTIVITY. It’s a term you hear often these days in descriptions of new models. It refers to the seamless integration between advanced technologies for infotainment and the portable devices that the car’s occupants have, as well as connecting to the world outside the car.

The earliest ‘connectivity’ feature would have been the radio, receiving broadcasts of music and news from stations as the car moved along. Then with the advent of the cellular mobilephone, 2-way communications became possible. And with the internet and wireless broadband, connectivity meant being able to connect to the World Wide Web and use the same services and applications you use on your computer or tablet.

Connectivity is becoming very important and sophisticated with the coming era of autonomous cars. Not only must cars communicate with the outside world efficiently and safely but the occupants must also have the best connectivity since they will be involved in the driving less (or not at all).

Benchmark in connectivity features
Honda, like other carmakers, has already many connectivity features in its current models and is developing even more. The new Honda e EV to got on sale in Europe this year sets a new benchmark in this area with connected infotainment which helps the car to integrate with the owner’s lifestyle through sophisticated, easy-to-use technology.

As a result, the driver and passengers – whether the car is driving, parked or charging – can enjoy the same connectivity and comfort with comprehensive connected services accessed through a next-generation full-width digital dashboard.

“Our objective for the Honda e was that the simple exterior style continues inside. The overall interior atmosphere combined with exceptional comfort by using familiar materials such as wood grain and textured fabric, is reminiscent of a modern living room.” explained Kohei Hitomi, Large Project Leader for the Honda e. “In this modern, relaxing environment, occupants can effortlessly engage with advanced connected technology such as the camera mirror system and dual touchscreen display that is highly sophisticated, but incredibly easy to use.”

Full-width digital dashboard
The Honda e’s full-width digital dashboard is designed for effortless usability of connected apps and services. Five integrated high-resolution colour screens together occupy the entire width of the car’s interior.

The Side Camera Mirror System screens are ergonomically placed at either end of the dashboard to ensure a natural feel and vision for the driver, while the Centre Camera Mirror System display relays the image from a central rear-facing camera, further increasing the driver’s field of vision.

An 8.8-inch TFT meter instrument display in front of the driver presents key vehicle information including power and charge status, drive mode selected and safety feature details.

Dual screens display connected services
The largest area of the full-width digital dashboard is occupied by dual 12.3-inch LCD touchscreens. These are the primary infotainment displays, presenting a range of intelligent applications and services. This sophisticated interface is highly intuitive, customisable, and has been designed for ultimate usability to elevate the car beyond being a means of transportation to become fully integrated into the owner’s modern connected life.

The interface features familiar smartphone-style usability, with swipe controls to browse recently used applications. Content can easily be swapped across the two screens, enabling the driver to utilise content on both screens with simplicity and ease. This function allows the passenger to swipe content such as navigation instructions into the driver’s eye line. And because the dual screen set-up allows two applications to be displayed side-by-side, the driver and front passenger can independently select and view separate apps. For example, while the driver follows navigation instructions, the front passenger can search for a music playlist.

AI-powered connectivity
Connected services and applications can also be accessed using voice commands via the Honda Personal Assistant. The intuitive Honda Personal Assistant is a smart artificial intelligence (AI) service that uses unique contextual understanding to create natural conversations and provide access to a range of online services.

The Honda Personal Assistant is activated by saying ‘OK Honda’, followed by the question or instruction. Machine learning enables the technology to develop a greater understanding of individuals’ voice over time, helping it to deliver more accurate responses.

The comprehensive suite of in-built apps can be supplemented by smartphone mirroring, via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These systems enable users to view social media, music and other internet services on the dual touchscreens. When the car is parked – even when charging – the occupants can also watch video content and access the internet on their own mobile devices using the built-in wifi hotspot.

*Prototypes of the all-electric Honda e to go on sale in Europe before the end of 2019*

Smartphone application for remote access
Owners can still stay connected to their car remotely through a smartphone application when they step out. The service focusses on the user journey, with easy navigation to access charging functions, detailed vehicle status, climate control, security and location monitoring. Additional connectivity and EV-specific functions include battery charge control and range monitor, while charging station and navigation search results can be sent to the car from a mobile device.

The Honda e is also accessible using a digital key, allowing the car to be locked and unlocked via the app. Safety alerts can notify owners if it moved outside of a set ‘geofence’ zone.

The Honda e is initially intended for sale in European markets. Honda’s plan for the next decade is to have a substantial portion of its vehicle sales made up of battery electric vehicles. Connectivity technologies in the Honda e are likely to be adopted in new models in coming years so the next City or CR-V you buy may have some of the features you just read about.

Visit www.honda.com.my to read about models you can buy in Malaysia today.

Feeling stressed? Your car can help change your mood!

The idea that going for a drive is a pleasurable experience isn’t always true. Much of the time, traffic conditions cause frustration and instead create stress. An unexpected jam due to roadworks or an accident can completely change the cheerful mood of a relaxing Sunday drive. One study suggests that 74% of us admit to feeling stressed or overwhelmed every day.

Understanding that this is not just unhealthy (bad for the heart) but can also have an effect on safety, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is researching new artificial intelligence (AI) technology to understand our state of mind while driving – and adjust cabin settings to improve driver wellbeing.

Monitoring the driver’s mood
The technology uses a driver-facing camera and biometric sensing to monitor and evaluate the driver’s mood and adapt a host of cabin features, including the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, media and ambient lighting. The settings will be altered in response to the driver’s facial expressions to help tackle stress.

The mood-detection system will use the latest AI techniques to continually adapt to nuances in the driver’s facial expressions and implement appropriate settings automatically. In time, the system will learn a driver’s preference and make increasingly tailored adjustments.

Personalisation settings could include changing the ambient lighting to calming colours if the system detects the driver is under stress, selecting a favourite playlist if signs of weariness are identified, and lowering the temperature in response to yawning or other signs of tiring.

Rear passengers can benefit too
JLR is also evaluating similar technology for rear passengers, with a camera mounted in the headrest. If the system detects signs of tiredness, it could dim the lights, tint the windows and raise the temperature in the back, to help an occupant get to sleep.

The new mood–detection system is one of a suite of technologies that JLR is exploring as part of its ‘tranquil sanctuary’ vision to improve the driving experience. Designed to create a sanctuary inside each of its luxury vehicles, the company is exploring a wide range of driver and passenger wellbeing features, to ensure occupants are as comfortable as possible whilst ensuring the driver remains mindful, alert and in control.

Mood-detection software is the next-generation of Jaguar Land Rover’s existing driver tracking technology. The Driver Condition Monitor, which is capable of detecting if a driver is starting to feel drowsy and will give an early warning to take a break, is already available on all Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

VW says AI no threat to mankind

The advancement in autonomous tech have lead many automakers to create their own in-house data centres filled with powerful computers. That said, we shouldn’t expect a Skynet-like artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in the near future – atleast that’s what Prof. Dr. Patrick van der Smagt, Head of AI Research at the VW’s Data Lab says.

The centre is currently working on machine learning, enabling programs to link data, analyze interconnections and make predictions. But the company’s long term plan is to invest time and energy into neural networking. Through this, they will be able to make use of probability theory.

VW will have the ability to enable algorithms to learn by always independently taking the optimum decision from the mathematical point of view in real-time. Evidently, this is a far-cry from the robotic apocalypse movies like ‘The Terminator’ would have us believe about artificial intelligence.

Van Dee Smart says that its human nature that we subconsciously attribute human behavior or even consciousness to systems such as this. But the reality of it is, the algorithm learns by examining the intended data by utilising the laws of mathematical probability. In layman’s terms, computers will become increasingly better at mathematics.

One of Data Labs’ missions is to explore the possibilities of independent learning algorithms. This is because the technology has a wide array of applications including helping skilled workers control complex logistics and production processes even more effectively.

So, will there be an android uprising in the near future? According to VW, that won’t be possible. All AI systems are capable of at the moment, is examining data, and making computational predictions to shorten and simplify processes.

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