Argo AI and Ford have announced the launch of their third-generation self-driving test vehicle, the new Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The vehicles will be deployed in all five cities that Argo AI and Ford are operating in, which now includes Detroit.
The vehicles are equipped with new technology that’s a step closer to production specification, as well as modifications that are designed to make sure that they operate safely in a variety of conditions.
The vehicles are also equipped with a significantly upgraded sensor suite, which includes new sets of radar and cameras with higher resolution and higher dynamic range.
Testing
Testing
Sikorsky's optionally piloted vehicle technology used to fly Black Hawk helicopter for first time
On May 29, a Black Hawk helicopter was operated with full-authority, fly-by-wire flight controls for the first time using a technology kit developed by Sikorsky.
The flight marked the official start to the flight test program for the soon-to-be optionally piloted aircraft. Follow-on flight testing will look to include envelope expansion throughout the summer leading to fully autonomous flight (zero pilots) in 2020.
AutonomouStuff launches first phase of its Open Autonomy Pilot program
On Monday, June 3, AutonomouStuff, part of Hexagon's Positioning Intelligence division, launched the first phase of its Open Autonomy Pilot program.
AutonomouStuff will conduct testing on a defined route in downtown Peoria, Illinois, as it collects data and tests software on two automated research and development vehicles.
“The goal of the Open Autonomy Pilot is to enable, accelerate and deploy technology that drives the future of autonomy,” explains Bobby Hambrick, founder, CEO and president of AutonomouStuff, and chief autonomy officer of Hexagon PI.
NUAIR, ANRA Technologies conduct operational assessment of ANRA's UTM technology
Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) and ANRA Technologies recently collaborated to conduct an operational assessment of ANRA’s UAS traffic management (UTM) technology for broadcast and network based remote identification (RID) of UAS.
During the assessment, which took place from May 28 to 29 at the New York UAS Test Site located at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York, NUAIR staff used draft industry standards for evaluating both broadcast and network based remote identification capabilities to assess ANRA’s technology.
NUAIR staff flew several UAS; two of which carried a unique Wi-Fi broadcast module provided by ANRA and Doodle Labs, to test RID broadcast capability.
OneSky begins live flight testing with AGI OneSky UTM platform
In collaboration with Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) and Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York, OneSky, a business unit of Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI), recently began live flight testing with the AGI OneSky UAS Traffic Management (UTM) platform.
The tests are being conducted as part of NASA’s ongoing UTM initiative, which is designed to enable civilian low-altitude airspace and UAS operations, and validating requirements for UAS Service Suppliers (USS).
Ford's 'Survival' robot delivers parts to keep production going around company's plant
Ford is actively working on autonomous vehicles, but the company has thrown its hat into the robotics arena with the introduction of its self‑driving robot, nicknamed ‘Survival.’
Developed entirely by Ford engineers, Survival earned its nickname because of its ability to adapt to its environment. It can dodge unforeseen objects, change its route if obstructed, and stop whenever necessary.
Survival is currently being tested in one of Ford’s manufacturing plants in Europe, delivering spare parts around the plant. The company notes that it is the first of its kind to be used in a Ford facility in Europe.
Aptiv establishes its China Autonomous Mobility Center
Aptiv has announced the establishment of its China Autonomous Mobility Center, which will focus on the development and application of Aptiv’s L4 autonomous driving technology.
With the opening of the China Autonomous Mobility Center, Aptiv is extending its autonomous driving operations to China, which will join Boston, Singapore, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas as one of Aptiv’s major autonomous driving engineering hubs.
“With high market acceptance to autonomous driving in China, we see a strong demand for autonomous driving technologies in the Chinese market.” says Karl Iagnemma, president of Aptiv Autonomous Mobility.
Army completes New Equipment Training for GA-ASI's MQ-1C ER UAS
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that the U.S. Army has completed its New Equipment Training (NET) for GA-ASI’s MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range UAS.
Covering new maintenance procedures, manuals and ground support equipment associated with the MQ-1C ER, the training—conducted at Fort Campbell, Kentucky—prepared the current Army Company, 160th Foxtrot, to operate the MQ-1C ER, while also preparing Echo Company to become the Army’s second Company to be trained to operate the UAS.
Volkswagen testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg, Germany
For the first time, Volkswagen is testing Level 4 autonomous driving in real driving conditions in a major German city.
Volkswagen Group Research is testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg, Germany. Five of the company's e-Golf vehicles—each equipped with 11 laser scanners, seven radars and 14 cameras—will drive on a three-kilometer section of the digital test bed for automated and connected driving in the city.
The results of the test drives will be continuously evaluated, taking full account all data protection rules. The results will be incorporated in the Group’s other research projects on automated driving, and will test customer-centric services and optimize individual transport.
Sony, NTT DOCOMO to test conceptual driverless vehicle that uses 5G mobile tech
Sony Corporation and NTT DOCOMO Inc. have announced that they will test Sony's conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which utilizes 5G mobile technologies for a number of different remotely controlled functions.
The test will be conducted using the trial network in DOCOMO 5G Open Lab GUAM, providing DOCOMO-constructed test facilities and an outdoor verification environment, which will be operated by DOCOMO PACIFIC Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DOCOMO.