Engineering news
The car negotiated country lanes with no road markings, junctions, roundabouts and motorways during the 370km drive from Cranfield in Bedfordshire to Sunderland on 28 November, as part of the HumanDrive project. Complex and unusual road situations are a big challenge to the widespread roll-out of driverless cars.
The vehicle used GPS, radar, Lidar and camera technologies to build up a perception of the world around it. The autonomous technology activated along the route to change lanes, merge, and stop and start when necessary.
“The HumanDrive project allowed us to develop an autonomous vehicle that can tackle challenges encountered on UK roads that are unique to this part of the world, such as complex roundabouts and high-speed country lanes with no road markings, white lines or kerbs,” said Bob Bateman project manager for Nissan Technical Centre.
Two engineers were onboard to monitor and take control if needed, and the trial was conducted with the knowledge and support of all relevant highway authorities.
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi called the project “a huge step towards the roll-out of driverless cars on UK streets.”
The UK-based consortium also investigated how autonomous driving can emulate a natural, human-like driving style, with tests of pilot vehicles on private test tracks.
HumanDrive is funded by the government, through the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and Innovate UK, and nine other consortium partners. The project has £13.5m funding in total.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.