MORE SAFETY FOR AUTONOMOUS DRIVING ON ROAD AND RAIL

New research project CONTROL launched – How can autonomous cars, lorries, buses and trains operate safely and reliably when traffic conditions are constantly changing due to unexpected obstacles or shifting weather? This question lies at the heart of the research project CONTROL, which commenced in October. CONTROL stands for Controlling Risk of Highly Automated Transportation Systems Operating in Complex Open Environments.

Autonomous driving is regarded as a key technology for the future of mobility. It promises greater comfort, improved fleet efficiency, lower emissions, more sustainable use of resources and, above all, new mobility solutions – such as autonomous people movers and driverless trains and lorries.

The automated systems already in use today only function under clearly defined environmental conditions. What is lacking is the capability to operate safely in an open, highly dynamic world with constantly changing external factors. CONTROL addresses rare scenarios known as long-tail events – including unexpected obstacles on roads and railways, restricted visibility and varying weather and lighting conditions. These rare events have a significant impact and are critical for autonomous driving.

Over the next three years, the CONTROL project will develop innovative methods to safeguard autonomous vehicles as part of a dynamic overall system for road and rail. Central to this is the development of a cross-domain safety argumentation that systematically captures, assesses and controls operational uncertainties and integrates them into the architecture of autonomous systems. The system can then initiate precautionary measures – such as adjusting speed or controlled evasive manoeuvres. This approach is complemented by new quality metrics, adaptive sensor fusion and simulation-based validation. Practical feasibility will be tested in prototypes provided by the project partners during the course of the project.

Through its research focus, the project strengthens the competitiveness of German industry in the field of autonomous mobility. It creates an important foundation for new products and standards – from road to rail and extending to further application areas such as industrial automation and robotics.