3.4.2019. The Volkswagen group is testing automated vehicles in the urban public transport of Hamburg. For the first time under real conditions for automated Driving up to Level 4 will be tested in a large German city of Volkswagen.
From now on, e-Golf fleet of five vehicles, equipped with laser scanner, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radars on a three-kilometre-long part of the test track for automated and connected Driving (TAVF) in the Hanseatic city section.
The results of the trips, which are evaluated by the group’s research, taking into account all data protection provisions continually To go for the numerous research projects of the group to be Autonomous, for testing of customer-oriented services, as well as for the optimization of individual transport to be used.
Axel Heinrich, head of Volkswagen group research: “In the Tests, both the technical possibilities as well as the demands on the urban infrastructure. Because in the future, the car driving to make it safer and more convenient, not only must the vehicles be Autonomous and intelligent, but also the cities in a digital Ecosystem, in the cars, with traffic lights and traffic management systems, as well as to communicate with each other.“
Of the City Of Hamburg, a nine-kilometre long test is currently the route for the automated and connected Driving (TAVF), which will be expanded in the year 2020. The Free and Hanseatic city of Hamburg to to to be upgraded for this purpose, successive sets of traffic lights for the infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (V2I). Thus, Volkswagen, and Hamburg make a decisive step on the path to further optimisation of the traffic flow through digitization and the widespread use of automated Driving in the urban area of the ceiling.
Michael West Hagemann, Hamburg’s Senator for economy, transport and Innovation: “In two and a half years, the world Congress for intelligent transport systems (ITS) to be held in Hamburg, Germany. Automated Driving will play a big role. I am pleased that we have gained with our strategic Partner, Volkswagen is already one of the first users for our test track. We want to establish Hamburg as a model city for smart mobility and world public opinion in 2021, many of the innovative mobility projects.“
The Volkswagen group research, structured e-Golf has an eleven Laser Scanner, seven radars, and 14 cameras. Up to five gigabytes of data is exchange per Minute during the regular test runs, each extending over several hours. The computing power of around 15 Laptops plugged in in the trunk of the e-Golf.
The enormous computing power and accurate sensor technology to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, other cars, intersections, right-of-way rules, Parking of vehicles, and lane changing in free-flowing traffic on shortest distances in milliseconds. Despite the diversity and complexity of the information, the artificial intelligence of the vehicle Software needs to perceive all of the relevant objects and react, but must not trigger a false alarm. This work is done with different approaches for artificial intelligence: Deep Learning, neural networks and pattern recognition methods.
From the safety of a specially trained test drivers sitting the test rides in Hamburg consistently on the steering Wheel, all driving functions are continuously checked and in case of an emergency can intervene. In addition, all of the privacy provisions in a comprehensive manner.
In order to make automated Driving on public roads to Autonomous Driving on Level 5 – functional, the Volkswagen group research with all the brands and the relevant areas of the group. The results of this project will gradually be incorporated in further research and development initiatives.
The goal is to be able to customers in a few years, the Autonomous Transport of goods and persons in the public space. This will sustainably contribute to the improvement of traffic flow and road safety. Autonomous Drive with no safety driver in public road transport, however, requires a Change in the legal framework and the establishment of the necessary infrastructure.
The individual Level of automated driving:
Level 1: Assisted Driving
Example: ACC (automatic distance control)
Level 2: Semi-Automated Driving
Example: Travel Assist (combined distance control and lane guidance)
Level 3: Highly Automated Driving
Example: Traffic Jam Pilot
Level 4: Fully Automated Driving
Example: Park House Pilot
Level 5: Autonomous Driving
Example: Completely driver-free transportation
Volkswagen is fully automated in Hamburg (photo: Volkswagen AG)
