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Podcast: Augmented Bad Drivers Turbocharge Autonomous Vehicle Development

In this episode, we delve into a game-changing approach developed by the University of Michigan, where 'simulated terrible drivers' in a mixed reality environment are used to drastically cut the time and cost of Autonomous Vehicle (AV) safety testing.

Farbod Moghaddam

fromThe Next Byte

25 May, 2023.

Xintao Yan and Haojie Zhu, both civil engineering PhD students, prepare to take one of the autonomous vehicles for a test run at Mcity. Photo: Brenda Ahearn/Michigan Engineering

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autonomous vehicles

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Autonomous Vehicles

Simulation Software

In this episode, we delve into a game-changing approach developed by the University of Michigan, where 'simulated terrible drivers' in a mixed reality environment are used to drastically cut the time and cost of Autonomous Vehicle (AV) safety testing. Discover how this innovative method enhances testing by focusing on rare but critical driving events, potentially accelerating the deployment and public acceptance of self-driving cars.

This podcast is sponsored by Mouser Electronics.

(3:49) - Simulated terrible drivers cut the time and cost of AV testing by a factor of one thousand

This episode was brought to you by Mouser, our favorite place to get electronics parts for any project, whether it be a hobby at home or a prototype for work. Click HERE to learn about how electronics suppliers are planning to meet the technical and regulatory requirements to make autonomous vehicles possible!

As always, you can find these and other interesting & impactful engineering articles on Wevolver.com.

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AboutMouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics is a worldwide leading authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 800 industry-leading manufacturers. We specialize in the rapid introduction of new products and technologies for design engineers and buyers. Our extensive product offering includes

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Electronics

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Mansfield, TX, USA

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1964

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1001-5000

AboutThe Next Byte

The Next Byte Podcast is hosted by two young engineers - Daniel and Farbod - who select the most interesting tech/engineering content on Wevolver.com and deliver it in bite-sized episodes that are easy to understand regardless of your background. If you'd like to stay up to date with our latest ep

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Entertainment

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Washington D.C., DC, USA

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2020

Image: Image: Ansys

Why Simulation is a Driving Force for Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles must be trained and tested in millions of scenarios to be able to respond to all driving situations.

Autonomous Vehicles

Tarun Tejpal

fromAnsys

27 May, 2020.

Autonomous vehicles can improve driver safety and reduce traffic congestion. However, developing this new platform is rife with challenges. Chief among them remains the estimated 8.8 billion miles of road testing that would be required to ensure fully autonomous cars are safe enough to hit the road.

While these challenges are significant, the benefits autonomous vehicles offer, in terms of safety and productivity, could be enormous.

Each year, roughly 1.25 million people around the world die in traffic accidents, the vast majority of which are the result of human error. In addition to the loss of life, traffic accidents result in an annual economic costs of $277 billion.

Traffic congestion and delays also have high costs. Drivers waste more than 3 billion gallons of fuel because of congestion and spend nearly 7 billion extra hours in their cars. This costs North America roughly $160 billion in 2015.

By eliminating human error, autonomous vehicle technology can solve these safety, economic and congestion problems.

Simulations Cut the Development Time and Cost of Autonomous Vehicles

For automakers and suppliers to take advantage of the emerging opportunity in autonomous vehicles, they must be able to rapidly develop safe and reliable technology.

Simulation of a Semi-truck crossing a road. Image: Ansys

However, because autonomous vehicles must be trained and tested to respond to all driving situations, they must conduct millions of scenarios. This can be a challenge for even the most experienced of technology leaders.

That level of testing and training has extended development cycles. Remember, fully autonomous vehicles will require 8.8 billion miles of road testing. In comparison, Waymo, formerly Google’s self-driving car project, has completed only 20 million miles of physical road test