Connected and Auonomous Vehicles

- Overview

Connectivity and automation are two different forms of technology that are often mentioned together – connected vehicles and autonomous vehicles (or CAVs). Working together, these technologies could be the key to eliminating driver error and congestion, meaning safer, healthier roads. 

To achieve accident-free milestones or substantially reduce/eliminate road fatality and traffic congestion, and to create disruptive, transformative mobility systems and services, various parties (e.g. car manufacturers, universities, governments and road traffic regulators) collaborate , to research, develop and test connected vehicle (CV) technologies.

VCs create new data-rich environments and are considered key enablers of many applications and services that will make our roads safer, less congested and greener.

A better understanding of computer vision techniques will pave the way to avoid setbacks and help develop more innovative applications and breakthroughs. In the CV paradigm, vehicles become smarter by communicating with nearby vehicles, connected infrastructure, and the surrounding environment. 

- Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM)

Connected and automated mobility (CAM) presents a unique opportunity to make our transportation systems safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more user-friendly. 

Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) refers to autonomous/connected vehicles or self-driving cars (vehicles that can guide themselves without human intervention). 

Vehicles in general, and cars in particular, are changing rapidly with the development of digital technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, high-performance computers, and powerful communication networks. 

Consequently, policies and legislation related to digital technologies, including cybersecurity, liability, data usage, privacy and radio spectrum/connectivity, are of increasing relevance to the transport sector.

[The Chiba Urban Monorail, Chiba, Japan - Civil Engineering Discoveries]

- Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and Their Benefits

Connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) combine connectivity and automation to assist or replace humans in driving tasks. This can be achieved through a combination of advanced sensor technologies; onboard and remote processing capabilities; GPS and telecommunications systems.

Motor vehicles are responsible for most crashes, injuries and deaths on UK roads and create congestion which pollutes the air and makes our streets less welcoming. 

Connected and autonomous cars have the potential to eliminate human error in driving (a factor in nearly nine out of 10 crashes on UK roads) and help with traffic management, meaning less congestion and pollution. 

Fully driverless vehicles also offer potential benefits for those with additional mobility needs, such as the elderly or disabled.

- Connectivity in Vehicles

Connected vehicles are able to share information (or data) with other sources inside and outside the vehicle. This could be other vehicles, road infrastructure or any other connected network or thing. 

For example, connectivity means that a car can "know" that another car is approaching a ridge even though it can't "see" it, and can "know" that there is roadwork around a corner. Networked technologies therefore have the advantage of being able to sense things farther away than sensor technologies, however, they require a coordinated approach to enable all vehicles and infrastructure to communicate compatibly. 

Connectivity can play an important role in road safety and traffic management, bringing congestion-related benefits and potentially improving air quality. However, connectivity also presents challenges in technology compatibility, data protection and cybersecurity.

[More to come ...]