Smartphone-controlled Range Rover Sport under trial

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed some of the prototype technologies that its UK-based research team are developing to deliver autonomous driving in the future. A remote-controlled Range Rover Sport research vehicle demonstrates how a driver could drive the vehicle from the outside via their Smartphone.

The apps include controls for steering, acceleration and braking, as well as the ability to change between high- and low-range gears. This would allow the driver to walk alongside the vehicle, at a maximum speed of 6km/h, to manoeuvre their vehicle out of challenging situations safely, or even to negotiate difficult off-road terrain.

Creating a car capable of functioning autonomously in all situations requires a fusion of sensors with different attributes including radar, LIDAR, cameras, ultrasonics’ and structured light technology. Each of these is needed to enable an autonomous car to function in the real world and to ensure the car can make safe and accurate decisions anywhere.

The driver could use the Smartphone to reverse out of parking space if someone has parked too close for them to open the door, or allow the driver to become their own off-road spotter, to guide the vehicle over off-road obstacles from outside.

By walking alongside the vehicle, the driver could continually check ramp, approach and departure angles and allow precise positioning when rock crawling. It could also be an invaluable aid when the vehicle is fording a stream or traversing sections made slippery by mud or snow.

The remote control function will only operate if the user is within ten metres of the vehicle and if the smart key can be detected. The system will stop it if the driver moves out of range or gets too close.

Future possibilities for this technology could include more autonomous functionality where the driver gives a simple command from the handset to traverse an obstacle or exit a parking space, and the vehicle does the rest.

JLRs ‘Multi-Point Turn’ Range Rover is capable of autonomously manoeuvring through 180 degrees to turn the vehicle in the road and point the vehicle in the opposite direction. This autonomous vehicle could extricate itself from the most difficult situations, such as a dead-end roads or congested car parks, as well as performing many drivers’ least-favourite manoeuvre – the three-point turn in a busy street or car park.

The system uses sensors to assess available space and to avoid pedestrians, vehicles and other objects. The system takes over gear selection, steering, braking and acceleration to make as many forward and backwards movements as necessary to achieve the manoeuvre.

The research team is working on a system to scan the environment around the vehicle and inform the driver whether it is safe to perform the turning manoeuvre. The driver then confirms the manoeuvre and the vehicle would move forward until its path is blocked. It then selects reverse and uses the steering, throttle and brakes to do the same again. It repeats this as many times as required until it is facing in the opposite direction.

Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology at JLR, said: “Getting a car out of a tricky parking manoeuvre can be a stressful experience for any driver. A remote control car, or a vehicle that can autonomously turn in the road, demonstrates how the technology can be used to reduce the tedious parts of driving and improve road safety.

Research into technologies like these won’t only help deliver an autonomous car, but will help make real driving safer and more enjoyable. The same sensors and systems that will help an autonomous car make the right decisions, will assist the driver and enhance the experience to help prevent accidents.

JLR’s vision is to offer a choice of an engaged or autonomous drive. This means the vehicle will be able to drive itself if the driver chooses, or offer systems that can be adjusted for a more engaging and involved drive.

“Because our customers drive in all terrains and in all weathers, any future autonomous JLR must be as capable on rough tracks and unpaved roads as it would be on city streets,” added Epple.

“We know our customers drive in heavy rain, and snow, and bright desert sunshine every day. We are working on an array of new sensors that would enable a car to operate in any environment, without any outside intervention or input from lane markings or roadside infrastructure like traffic lights. Our research engineers have a nickname for a car with this level of capability: the ‘Solo Car’.”

The automaker has an advanced research programme underway to enhance the car’s sensing capability. This project is developing a range of sophisticated sensors to make autonomous cars viable in a range of driving environments and weather conditions.

MIKE OCHONMA