Communications of the ACM
The Invisible Driver
Full-size remote control cars can be driven safely on public roads, according to researchers who expect the technology to be seen on roads within the next decade.
Credit: Eater.com
Technical University of Munich (TUM) researchers have proven that full-size remote control cars can be driven safely on public roads, and predict that the technology will reach the roadway within the next five to 10 years.
Engineers at TUM's Institute of Automotive Technology placed six video cameras on an electric car, with a central control panel to activate all functions. Video images are wirelessly transmitted via the long-term evolution (LTE) standard to a remote driver at an operator station that is similar to a driving simulator, with a steering wheel, instrument panel, and pedals. The driver views the camera images, which provide a 360-degree view, on three large monitors, while a force-feedback steering wheel uses actuators to mimic the driving experience and other technology lets the driver hear inside the car.
The data can already be transmitted on today's universal mobile telecommunication system network, but new technologies and capacity gains will further facilitate the transmission requirements of remote driving. The researchers note that mobile networks are expanding, and LTE networks in many cities can provide the bandwidth to carry video images, sound, and control data. In addition, the next video coding standard, H.265, offers significantly more efficient image compression.
From Technical University Munich (Germany)
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