The Self-Driving Vehicles Thread

[Mr. Dazzle]

It's just about demonstrating more ability to control a vehicle on the limit.

I don't think its a particularly new demo. Computers have been better than people at controlling vehicles on the limit for years, thats why driver aids have been banned in top end motorsport dor a few decades.

[Horse]

Makes some sort of sense. If an autonomous car hits a slippy patch of road, what happens? Just as it's too late it probably says 'Oops, soz, my programming does not include this, all yours mate, bye'.

Including some capability to deal with 'sub-optimal situations' may be the objective.

Makes sense to me.

Early AV research was on the basics of getting the things into the swing of basic control and principles of driving as a non-contact sport.

More recently, as in the video I posted several times, crash investigation has been (and probably still is being) used to test AV systems to test how they would cope.

This, potentially, adds an extra dimension, moving in regaining control (however hard the systems might work to remain in control). If it learns how the best drivers can do it, it'll be better than most on the road.

Drifting is cool and all, but who cares about a car that can slide around corners all by itself? What's the big deal? Well, this is a potential safety feature. In the future, Toyota could use such technology to augment human drivers' abilities, to provide autonomous control in critical, at-the-handling-limit situations. Say you're starting to spin after hitting a patch of black ice. A professional driver might apply throttle and just enough steering angle to drift his or her vehicle to maintain control and prevent a crash, something that normal motorists would not have the skills to do.

If your future Toyota or Lexus vehicle had self-drifting capability, it could temporarily and automatically give you the driving skills of an expert, the ability maintain control in risky situations. This capability is enabled by, among other things, TRI's Nonlinear Model Predictive Control. According to the organization, this technology "extends the vehicle's operational domain beyond the point of tire saturation." In other words, it enables you to get loose.

The Supra test mule used for this research features computer-controlled throttle and steering systems as well as a sequential transmission and the ability to brake each wheel individually. Along with other hardware, the NMPC runs on a computer with an x86 architecture. To maintain graceful balance while drifting, the car calculates a new trajectory every 1/20th of a second, which you can see in the video embedded above. Toyota's test Supra demonstrated its self-drifting skills on Thunderhill Raceway's 2-mile West track.

[Horse]

If it learns how the best drivers can do it, it'll be better than most on the road.

the ability to brake each wheel individually.

Actually, that's probably beyond what any driver could achieve.

[The Spin Doctor]

If it learns how the best drivers can do it, it'll be better than most on the road.

the ability to brake each wheel individually.

Actually, that's probably beyond what any driver could achieve.

I used to know a UK rallycross champion... he was scathing about the ABS equipped cars because he couldn't lock the rear wheels independently to oversteer into corners.

[Horse]

If it learns how the best drivers can do it, it'll be better than most on the road.

the ability to brake each wheel individually.

Actually, that's probably beyond what any driver could achieve.

I used to know a UK rallycross champion... he was scathing about the ABS equipped cars because he couldn't lock the rear wheels independently to oversteer into corners.

Unless he was actually an octopus, how did he steer, gear, clutch - and operate four brakes independently?

[Horse]

Sorry, missed 'rear', so down to five limbs.

I don't know the fine details of fiddle brakes, but aren't they 'one or the other', not none/one/both?

But point still stands re the AV having independent brakes on each wheel.

[The Spin Doctor]

Sorry, missed 'rear', so down to five limbs.

I don't know the fine details of fiddle brakes, but aren't they 'one or the other', not none/one/both?

But point still stands re the AV having independent brakes on each wheel.

heel n toe on the accelerator and brakes, then other foot for clutch and a choice of handbrake / gears / steering wheel with his arms.

AFAIR his brake set up was adjusted to lock the rear first.

He was good - a UK rally cross champion. Actually, let me rephrase that... bloody terrifying!

[Lutin]

Highway Code: Watching TV in self-driving cars to be allowed

People using self-driving cars will be allowed to watch television on built-in screens under proposed updates to the Highway Code.

The changes will say drivers must be ready to take back control of vehicles when prompted, the government said.

The first use of self-driving technology is likely to be when travelling at slow speeds on motorways, such as in congested traffic.

However, using mobile phones while driving will remain illegal.

No self-driving cars are currently allowed on UK roads, but the first vehicles capable of driving themselves could be ready for use later this year, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

The planned changes to the code are expected to come in over the summer.

What I don't get is that if drivers must be ready to take back control of vehicles when prompted why is watching the telly different from using a mobile phone?

[Count Steer]

The RAC chap on the radio was trying to make the case that watching TV would help keep people awake! It is hands free though and I assume hands free phones will be OK. So it seems to be about hands. Wonder if it will be OK to do a crossword???

[slowsider]

Interesting to note that most self-driving projects are urban-based...

[Horse]

Interesting to note that most self-driving projects are urban-based...

But not all, e.g.



'First/ Last Mile' services are where a lot of on-road effort is being directed. However, it's easy to overlook where AV technology is already being implemented.

[Horse]

However, using mobile phones while driving will remain illegal.

What I don't get is that if drivers must be ready to take back control of vehicles when prompted why is watching the telly different from using a mobile phone?

I guess that they didn't want to amend the mobile phone laws (again).

[Lutin]

The thing is I haven't heard a great deal about self driving trains. You know the things - can only go forward or backwards on a set of rails, no steering involved, no roundabouts to negotiate that sort of thing.

I seem to recall that the DLR is self driving. Can't think of any others.

[slowsider]

Interesting to note that most self-driving projects are urban-based...

But not all, e.g.



'First/ Last Mile' services are where a lot of on-road effort is being directed. However, it's easy to overlook where AV technology is already being implemented.

True, but which section of the HC applies to the last two vids ?

[slowsider]

The thing is I haven't heard a great deal about self driving trains. You know the things - can only go forward or backwards on a set of rails, no steering involved, no roundabouts to negotiate that sort of thing.

I seem to recall that the DLR is self driving. Can't think of any others.

Gatwick shuttle. Maybe Stansted too.

[McNab]

What I don't get is that if drivers must be ready to take back control of vehicles when prompted why is watching the telly different from using a mobile phone?

"I've gotta go"
"No, you hang up"
"No, you hang up"
"....."
"Haha! I'm still here"
"No, you hang up"
SMASH!!!!!

[Horse]

True, but which section of the HC applies to the last two vids ?

As much as you mentioned it in your post?

Interesting to note that most self-driving projects are urban-based...

[slowsider]

True, but which section of the HC applies to the last two vids ?

As much as you mentioned it in your post?

Interesting to note that most self-driving projects are urban-based...

My post that followed two posts discussing changes to the HC?

Are you ready to take back control when the thread reverts to manual ?

[Horse]

True, but which section of the HC applies to the last two vids ?

As much as you mentioned it in your post?

Interesting to note that most self-driving projects are urban-based...

My post that followed two posts discussing changes to the HC?

Are you ready to take back control when the thread reverts to manual ?

I was answering your question, which had nothing to do with the Highway Code.

Are you ready to rejoin the discussion when a growned-up has explained for you how questions and answers work?

[Horse]

Here you go, this is close:

https://trl.co.uk/projects/operation-of ... y-vehicles

Plenty of pictures if the words are too difficult