SMART VEHICLES

SEMINAR PROJECT REPORTONTRENDS IN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

BTECH IIIRD YEAR

SUBMITTED BY:ASHISH SACHDEVA

SUBMITTED TOMR.GAURAV YADAV MR.ANKUR RAJVANSHI

BHARAT INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MEERUT

ABSTRACT:This paper presents a study on the behavior of smart cars by considering them as autonomous intelligent agents. In particular, a smart car could behave as autonomous agent by extracting information from the surrounding environment (road, highway) and determining its position in it, detecting the motion and tracking the behavioral patterns of other moving objects (automobiles) in its own surrounding space, exchanging information via internet with other moving objects (if possible) and negotiating its safety during travel with the other moving objects. The ideas presented here are based on traffic rules that a smart car has to know and the way to negotiate its safety by studying the other cars driving behavior like an autonomous agent. A smart-vehicle system involves sensor-based systems, which continuously evaluate the surroundings of the vehicle, display relevant information to the driver and might even take control of the vehicle.The first part of this paper looks into the technologies related to smart cars and modern technologies to improve safety. These technologies are broken down into four broad, distinct classifications of devices:Collision avoidance, Adaptive cruise control,Imaging and Navigational aids.Collision-avoidance systems protect the occupant by preventing accidents. Adaptive cruise control seeks to allow a car to maintain its speed and also its distance from cars in front of it. Imaging aids enhance vision of humans in improper visibility situations. Navigational aids assist drivers for better navigation.The next part of the paper deals with the latest technologies developed by the manufacturers all over the world, to make a vehicle SMART. A smart vehicle not only takes care of passengers traveling in it but also of those using roads and other vehicles.

CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION2. COLLISION AVOIDANCE3. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL4. IMAGING TECHNOLOGY5. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS6. OTHER FEARURES INVOLVED IN SMART VEHICLES7. HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE8. VOLVO`S SCC9. FUTURE EVOLUTION OF SMART VEHICLES10. CONCLUSION11. BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION:Just as the human brain coordinates memory, senses, thinking, and physical reaction during driving, a vehicle needs a coordinating system to integrate the various capabilities of information, safety, and automation technologies. This coordinating system is the defining feature of a human-centered intelligent vehicle. Without it, the vehicle is simply a container for potentially overlapping or conflicting technologies. In a smart vehicle, drivers will have access to more information than they are traditionally accustomed. This includes information on road and weather conditions, route directions, vehicle diagnostics, anti-collision warnings, the driver's physiological status, etc. As a result, the vehicle itself must do some information filtering, a process called "data fusion." Data fusion, however, is a complicated task, which involves suppressing non-critical information -- such as "the nearest fast food restaurant is two blocks to the left" -- when a safety-critical message -- such as "brake immediately" -- is relayed to the driver. Data fusion must also consider how many messages a driver can receive within a given period without becoming overwhelmed or distracted.

COLLISION AVOIDANCE:Collision-avoidance systems will expand the paradigm of traffic safety from protecting the occupant of the vehicle to preventing accidents altogether.

Fig. 1: Collision Avoidance

General Motors and Delphi Delco Electronics system are currently testing one type of collision avoidance system on Buick Lesabres. While many technical details are being kept under raps, the new system promises to determine the potential for collisions based on data about the cars movement, the current driving environment and previous driver reactions obtained from radar, laser range-finders and other onboard sensors. The system responds to potentially hazardous situations by sounding a warning or, in the more pro-active concept versions, automatically adjusting cruise control settings to compensate for and avoid the danger.Various systems combines an eye tracker, which checks where the driver is looking, and differential global positioning system, which is designed to allow the system to keep track of its location both on the planet and in relation to other similarly equipped vehicles. In addition to all that, the system also integrates video equipment to monitor road conditions and a laser rangefinder to aid in keeping track of other vehicles, combining everything into one sleek package. This equipment can be used in order to signal to the driver that other vehicles are occupying blind spots by displaying a red triangle on rear and side-view mirrors. Unfortunately, this early version can only pick up moving objects, but they are working hard to overcome this limitation.John Pierowicz and his team at Veridian are working on a device that warns drivers of upcoming stop signs. Their device integrates 3 separate radars to detect traffic signs; a unit and a map database of the roads determine relative position, a Heads-Up-Display, and a secondary braking system. Whenever the vehicle determines that it is approaching a sign in an unsafe way, it gives a physical cue on the Heads-Up-Display. As of right now, Veridians system is only programmed to deal with stop signs, but they hope that it can be modified to assist drivers merging onto major roads and maybe even to allow it to work with stop lights the same way it does with stop signs. Theyre also contemplating modifications to allow the system to brake automatically on its own whenever it activates, rather than only issuing a passive warningOther safety innovations that are now in testing include automatic collision notification systems, which will immediately signal for help if a vehicle's air bag deploys, and drowsy-driver warning systems that will keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL:-

Fig 2: Detecting pedestrians, vehicles & obstacles and Moving accordingly by braking or acceleration.

Adaptive cruise control is a new concept that is being explored by many automakers and researchers for the Intelligent Vehicles Initiative. These systems seek to allow a car to not only maintain its speed, like traditional cruise control, but also its distance from cars in front of it. A perfect example is the system being developed for the Jaguar line of cars. To use it, the driver simply enters a speed and a distance (in seconds) to keep between themselves and the car in front of them. The System works like normal cruise control when the road is empty. When another car is present, however, a Microwave radar mounted on the Jaguar measures the distance to cars ahead and, a few equations to determine relative velocity, acceleration, and position later, communicates to the brakes and throttle, adjusting velocity as necessary to maintain the minimum following distance specified. Jaguars adaptive cruise control system is currently available.A competing adaptive cruise control concept, called the Platoon system, is also being developed by the University of California. Two kinds of sensors were responsible for keeping the vehicles bearings- 9 sensors monitored speed and engine performance, while actuators controlled the throttle and brakes. An antenna mounted on each car allowed it to communicate with the front few vehicles.An adaptive cruise control system called Vita- Video Technology Application is being researched by Mercedes-Benz. What makes this system unique is that rather than radars and rangefinders, the Vita-Video approach uses stereo images from 2 cameras to collect data. The two cameras scan road markings 12 times per second and scan for potential obstacles to the side and back of the car. Mercedes is billing their system as a safeguard against tired drivers that, in the future, will be able to brake, steer, and accelerate the vehicle on its own.

IMAGING TECHNOLOGY:- Fig 3: Image detection using cameras & sensors.Another area of study is how to enhance the vision of humans in situations where they may not be able to see very clearly. Few companies are testing a concept similar to that used in Night Vision Goggles, where sensors process differences between roadside temperatures and those of objects ahead. The sensors send this information to a central computer, which converts the information and uses it to put together images of the surrounding roadside that are updated several times a second; this processed composite image then shows up on a screen built into the dashboard.

NAVIGATIONAL AIDS:-

Smart Navigational Systems

Fig 4 Navigational systemCommunication and navigation systems are increasingly headed in this direction, and will be loaded with even more intelligent features. A car's mobile phone or Internet connection will be more than just a luxury toy. It will be integrated within a communicating navigation unit that automatically tracks the actual location of the car and can reveal it if necessary. So far, such systems have been used to track stolen cars and calculate traffic flows. The latter option is still rather unpopular. From the driver's point of view, a communicating navigation system is convenient because it dynamically chooses the best route by tracking the actual location of the car. In other words, instead of theoretically suggesting the best way from point A to point B, the system constantly gets information about road conditions and traffic jams and uses it to suggest the most practical way from the car's current position to its destination. With the help of Internet-based services, the navigation system can also tell the driver about free parking lots or the cheapest nearby gas station. And for safety reasons, such systems will announce this information through speakers instead of showing it on a display

OTHER FEARURES INVOLVED IN SMART VEHICLES: SMART VISION: Smart vehicles use a vision system to detect other vehicles, respond to traffic signals, and avoid pedestrians and obstacles. Researchers at DaimlerChrysler Research (Ulm, Germany) have built a smart-vehicle-theory demonstrator called the Urban Traffic Assistant (UTA). The DaimlerChrysler research team has demonstrated that by using a multitude of algorithms it can maintain separation from the vehicle ahead, see and respond to traffic signals, and avoid pedestrians and obstacles while moving through urban traffic situations at normal driving speeds under the supervision of a human driver.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL SMART CARD CAR KEYS

Fig 5: Smart CardThe idea that a personal smart card could replace your car keys is not futuristic. Mercedes CL owners can already open their car with a contact less smart card developed by Siemens. The motor starts after pushing a little ignition button, but only if the card is inside the vehicle. Without it, no hairpin or fake key can help a thief start the car. The system also prevents drivers from locking the car with the card inside, making it impossible to lock oneself out. Again, the key-card is the more visible variation of a different security system developed by Siemens, where a conventional metal key is equipped to exchange codes with the starter unit. The engine management control unit only works if this unique code which is randomly regenerated each time is correct. Other than this intelligent key, the new smart cards have further advantages, as demonstrated by Renault. Its middle class model Laguna is also opened using a smart card, but here you have to put the card into a slot to start the car. What at first might seem less practical enables the card to collect data about the automobile. Such information, including that on mileage, gas, and oil consumption, makes it easier for drivers to keep track of when the car has to be brought in for the next checkup. The card can also remember personal settings for mirrors, seats, and the audio system.

Run-Flat Tires Just hitting the market on a couple special interest automobiles, it won't be too long before run-flat tires become extremely common. Goodyear recently announced its intention to build such tires for most cars. But the really big shift will be when most new cars come with tires that can keep on going even after a complete loss of air. They can't run indefinitely, but can be used for about the same distance and at similar speeds as today's compact spares. When automakers use these tires, it will eliminate the need for a spare tire, saving cargo space and weight while improving fuel economy. The idea of never having to change a flat tire is also a wonderful convenience for the driver.

Fig 6: Run Flat Tires

Smart Brakes

Fig 7: ABSAnti-lock brakes (ABS) have been touted as being a major asset in the fight against accidents, preventing cars from skidding on slippery surfaces. But ABS has not proven as effective as its engineers had hoped. The problem is that people still don't know how to use them. In many cases, people fail to push the brake pedal firmly enough at first. Braking is less effective and a car travels quite a bit of extra distance

FIG 8: How to apply ABS

HANDS OFF COMMUNICATIONSpoken communication between cars and drivers will become increasingly sophisticated, in order to reduce the number of distracting side-glances at displays. This will also help to increase safety, because with mobile phones or car stereos efficiently controlled by spoken commands, drivers can keep their eyes on the road. This is a field where silicon-based security accompanies progress. The chips that Infineon has developed for speech recognition are already used for voice control of mobile phones inside cars. It is too early to say whether this development will one day lead to voice authentication of drivers, but once there is a sophisticated speech unit inside a car, it could very well be used for a number of purposes. Smart Highways A number of manufacturers are working with highway designers to make the roads smarter. Tie in onboard computers with cars and people will have a more elaborate "cruise control" function. Eventually, lines of cars will be able to travel along without human control, perhaps at very rapid speeds in close proximity. A car would merge into a special lane at specific access points and then be whisked along in a train of cars. Punch in your exit and the car leaves the line at that point and normal driving control is returned to the driver. This technology is still many years in the future, but testing is already going on in such places as Tokyo and San Diego. NEW SAFETY FEATURESWhile this is a concept that has yet to be developed, special scanners in a car can already locate the position of passengers and their heads (using rather rough biometric patterns) and optimize the use of airbags. The lifesavers go off only if it is really necessary, because the new mechanism recognizes when passengers are at risk of a collision. Unnecessary, expensive airbag activation is avoided without reducing passenger safety. Other sensors check tire pressure or the distance to the next car and warn the driver or react with a slight automatic reduction of speed. Such intelligent safety features can reduce the number of accidents and injuries. But if the intelligent car still gets into an accident, it will at least be able to automatically phone an ambulance and give it precise directions to the accident site.HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE:

Fig 10: schematic of hardware architectureVOLVOS SCC:

One of the more interesting concept cars to appear lately is Volvos Safety Concept Car (SCC). The hallmark of the SCC is superior vision that is, improving the sightlines for the driver and providing more visual information.Active rearview mirrors: Sensors in rear of the car alert the driver when a car is in drivers blind spot.Rearward-facing cameras: To enhance rear visibility further the Volvo SSC has several rear facing cameras mounted in the back the car. Images are displayed on a video monitor in the instrument panel.Adaptive headlights: The headlights monitor the cars road speed and steering wheel movements and adjust accordingly.Night vision: Volvo proposes using infrared night vision in the SSC.Collision warning sensors: If the distance to the car in front is too short, or the gap is closing too fast, the SSCs driver is alerted via a red warning light.Flashing brake lights: If the driver has to brake suddenly and firmly, the SSCs brake lights automatically flash, warning drivers to the rear.Lane centering: If the vehicle shows signs of veering to either side without activation of turn signals, the driver is alerted via an acoustics signal. This is an excellent feature for monitoring sleepiness or intoxication behind the wheels.

FUTURE EVOLUTION OF SMART VEHICLES:In about 20 years, we could see fully automated highway systems, cooperative systems of vehicles and infrastructure, and advances in the driver-vehicle interface, such as use of vision enhancements and head-up displays.

1. Capabilities of Individual In-Vehicle Systems Will Improve :-Most current systems, for example, provide routes based on "static" maps irrespective of traffic considerations. Dynamic route guidance systems could determine optimum routes based on prevailing "real-time" conditions on the roadway, such as the location of bottlenecks caused by accidents or construction. Automated vehicles will share many of the sensing elements of collision-avoidance systems and must also possess an intelligence that can continuously assess the changing contexts and circumstances of the driving environment.

2 Driver-Vehicle Interfaces Will Become Increasingly Sophisticated:-The integration of individual in-vehicle technologies will be reflected in coordinated and streamlined information displays and controls. Over time, the vehicle will become increasingly sophisticated in how it communicates information to and accepts commands from the driver. This sophistication will stem from the use of voice recognition, head-up displays, and vision-enhancement technologies that can relay information and commands and can also allow the driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel. Voice recognition software is already becoming increasingly common in Japanese in-vehicle navigation systems although it is still quite expensive for the average consumer.

3 Intelligent Vehicles Will Communicate With Other Vehicles and With a Smart Infrastructure:-Communication with a smart infrastructure would allow an intelligent vehicle to learn of incidents and then proactively suggest alternative routes in real time. Smart vehicles could also act as probes that could send information about travel conditions back to the infrastructure to create a richer base of knowledge about travel conditions on roads and highways. In addition, fully automated vehicles will likely rely to some extent on the guidance provided by an intelligent infrastructure and on communication with other smart vehicles.

CONCLUSION: Smart vehicles make driving safer and comfortable. As an engineer we must try to reduce fatalities caused by accidents. Slow reaction times, distractions, misjudgments, all are costly reasons due to which accidents occur, There would be much less fatalities if we provide automations as well as safety features.Our job is to introduce new safety and automation technologies smart vehicles that are advanced in various features like safety, efficiency, and economy.The development in technologies will prove invaluable in mans search for safer, comfortable and an enjoyable drive.BIBLIOGRAPHY:1. Look Ahead, Not Back: An Alternative System for Regional Public Transportation by John S. Niles. 2. http://www.ce.unipr.it/people3. http: //www.vision-systems.com Automotive Engineering International June 2002 4. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/5. http://www.howstuffworks.com

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