A new system developed by a US startup allows human drivers to remotely take control of a self-driving vehicle. This makes it possible to intervene if vehicle operation is disrupted or autonomous vehicles get into very tricky situations. The system can thus accelerate the development and commissioning of autonomous vehicles.
Autonomous vehicles are increasingly capable of navigating the road safely. Like humans, however, they can encounter unexpected, obscure and/or anomalous situations. Examples include roadworks where regular road markings are missing and lanes are narrower than usual, but also traffic controllers giving instructions using hand signals. Some weather conditions can also complicate autonomous navigation.
Taking control
A system developed by Designated Driver, a startup from the US state of Oregon, may provide a solution. It is a 'teleoperations system': a system that allows a human driver to manually take control of an autonomous vehicle. This allows, among other things, to intervene in unclear situations where an autonomous vehicle cannot find its own way, but also to take over the controls if the vehicle's operation is disrupted by, for example, a technical failure.
The system can be integrated into new and existing autonomous vehicles. The solution consists of three components:
- The Driver Station hardware and software kit: this kit contains all the components drivers need to remotely control an autonomous vehicle. These include about six displays, a steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedal, and the associated software.
- The in-vehicle hardware and software kit: this kit is built into the autonomous vehicle and contains all the components needed to control it. This kit can be integrated into different types of vehicles and is therefore not linked to a specific brand, for example.
- Human drivers: vehicles are driven by human drivers, who control the vehicles using the Driver Station hardware and software kit. These drivers can optionally be provided by Designated Driver as a service.
Similar systems
It is important to note that Designated Driver is not the only party working on systems that allow remote control of autonomous vehicles. For example, Researchlab Automated Driving Delft (RADD), based on the TU Delft campus, announced last year that they can remotely control their autonomous Renault Twizy.
US-based Phantom Auto is also working on such a system. This solution - like Designated Driver's solution - consists of three components:
- Software enabling communication with vehicles
- An API deployed for real-time support and control
- human drivers that can be provided as part of a service by Phantom Auto
Legal requirement
The ability to remotely take control of autonomous vehicles can not only help accelerate the development and deployment of such cars, but is also mandatory in some cases. In the Netherlands, for instance, the Experimentation Act on self-driving cars was passed by the Lower House of Parliament in 2018. This law allows autonomous vehicles to be tested on Dutch public roads, without a human driver in the vehicle. A condition for this, however, is that the vehicle is monitored by a human, who must be able to intervene remotely at all times.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Designated Driver (photos)
Source: Phantom Auto
Source: RADD
