Engineering news
Jaguar Land Rover is developing vehicles that can be controlled remotely, in all-weather conditions and road surfaces, by a smartphone.
The prototype ‘Multi-Point Turn’ Range Rover Sport can be steered, accelerated, braked and have its gears changed by an app on the smartphone. JLR envisages that having such functionality would enable driver to walk alongside the vehicle, at a maximum speed of 6.4kph, to manoeuvre it out of challenging situations or difficult terrain, safely.
The remote-control ability only operates when the driver is within 10m of the vehicle – and the smart key can be detected – with it coming to a standstill, if they move out of range or get too close.
The system uses sensors to assess available space and to avoid pedestrians, vehicles and other objects. The system takes over gear selection, steering, braking and acceleration to make as many forward and backwards movements as necessary to achieve the manoeuvre.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, JLR director of research and technology, said: “Research into technologies like these won't only help us deliver an autonomous car. They will help make real driving safer and more enjoyable. The same sensors and systems that will help an autonomous car make the right decisions, will assist the driver and enhance the experience to help prevent accidents.
JLR's research team is working on a system to scan the environment around the vehicle to inform the driver whether it is safe to perform a function and after the driver confirms the manoeuvre, carries it out until the path is blocked.
A range of sensors are being developed to make the autonomous cars operate in a range of driving environments and weather conditions, that includes radar, LIDAR, cameras and ultrasonics.