How did we design our autonomous vehicle to be both autonomous and self-driving?
As autonomous vehicles play an increasingly large part in the world of transport, how close are we to a fully driverless future? Fully autonomous driving may be sufficient for some scenarios, but human control is still critical in many situations. That's why hybrid systems that combine both manual and autonomous driving offer significant advantages in terms of flexibility, safety and user experience.
Specialised solutions are required for basic driving commands such as steering, braking and speed control to be managed by both human and artificial intelligence. So how do hybrid driving systems work and why is this approach an important step for the autonomous vehicles of the future?
HOW DOES OUR HYBRID AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE SYSTEM WORK?
Our hybrid system makes the basic control mechanisms of the vehicle manageable by both the driver and the autonomous software.
1. Speed and Throttle Control
The vehicle's speed control is managed according to the target speed set by the driver or the autonomous system. In autonomous mode, the determined speed data is transmitted to the engine driver and the engine driver calculates the power required to reach this speed and directs the engine. If the current speed of the vehicle is higher than the specified speed, the brake system is activated to slow down the vehicle safely.
2. Steering System
In manual driving, the steering control transmits the driver's commands to the wheels via a shaft. In autonomous mode, a motor directly steers the steering box according to the data from the potentiometer (pot), enabling the vehicle to turn. Thanks to this bidirectional system, the vehicle can move safely both under human control and autonomously.
3. Brake System:
The brakes of the vehicle are controlled by both the driver's pedal and a motor-assisted system. Hydraulic fluid is activated by two different mechanisms, allowing the vehicle to stop in a controlled manner. Thus, while manual braking is activated in emergencies, the system can intervene when necessary during autonomous driving.
This hybrid approach allows the vehicle to be used flexibly both autonomously and manually, increasing safety and ease of use.
ARIBA AUTONOMOUS II
ARIBA Autonomous II, the most remarkable car of ITU ZES Solar Car Team, has undergone a significant evolution this year with the intensive work of our team. With radical changes in the fields of electricity, mechanics, autonomous software and production, it has become a unique vehicle with autonomous driving capability on all kinds of roads.
UPDATES WE MADE IN OUR VEHICLE
We are making various improvements to make our vehicle safer and more convenient. Here are the innovations we have added to improve both the driving experience and the control of the vehicle:
1. Rollbar:
We add rollbar to our vehicle to increase driver safety. This structure will strengthen safety by providing protection in case the vehicle rolls over.
2. Steering Wheel:
We are adding a steering wheel to enable manual driving. This will make it easier to control the vehicle not only in races but also in the test phases.
3. Wiper:
We are adding wipers to our car to improve driving comfort. This will make the vision clearer, especially during long test drives and during the race.
4. Brake System:
By integrating the braking system into all wheels, including the motor, we aim to achieve shorter stopping distances and ensure a safer driving experience.
With these updates, we continue to make our vehicle more functional.
Why a Hybrid Approach?
So why are we developing our vehicle as a vehicle with a hybrid system instead of just an autonomous vehicle?
1. Compliance with Legal Regulations
Fully autonomous vehicles are not yet allowed everywhere. In some regions, it is a legal requirement for the driver to be behind the wheel. A hybrid system is able to work in harmony with such constraints.
2. Safety in Emergency Situations
Autonomous systems can sometimes become unstable or encounter unexpected obstacles. Manual mode increases safety by allowing the driver to take over control when necessary.
3. Increasing Users' Trust in Technology
Sitting behind the wheel of fully autonomous vehicles can still be unsettling for some people. The manual control option allows users to get used to the system and feel more comfortable.
4. A More Flexible User Experience
The hybrid system enables the vehicle to be used more extensively by both individual users and corporate fleets. For example:
Autonomous driving is preferred on the motorway for long journeys, while manual driving can be switched to in city traffic.
Company fleets can increase efficiency with autonomous mode, while drivers can switch to manual control when needed.
5. Supporting the Development of Autonomous Systems
Fully driverless vehicles are still under development. By collecting data in drive mode, the hybrid system helps artificial intelligence to better train itself.
Hybrid systems offer an innovative solution that balances today's and tomorrow's transport needs, providing many advantages from safety to flexibility. Our work is ongoing and we will continue to integrate new technologies to optimise our vehicle.
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