Technology company Continental has partnered with 3M to assess the infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) interface between infrastructure-related objects and technologies (including pavement markings, conspicuity film, signs and other landmarks on or near the roadway), and vehicle-related technologies.
According to Continental, current infrastructure lacks consistency, uniformity, performance specifications, and maintenance standards needed to optimise the perception and localisation capabilities of automated vehicles. The company believes that infrastructure optimised solutions are not possible in the short term, however its long-term goal is to find a more balanced solution.
Continental’s history of developing automotive safety systems, combined with 3M’s expertise in roadway technologies, will enable the two companies to collaborate on improving the current transportation infrastructure and work toward developing a more balanced and intelligent infrastructure optimised future solution. The short-term goal is to help increase road safety while continuing to work toward automated driving solutions.
Jeremy McClain, head of systems and technology, chassis and safety, Continental North America, said: “A major focus at Continental is to ensure our vehicle technology is able to accurately, efficiently and effectively communicate with cities and road infrastructure. We are excited to partner with 3M to collaborate on improving overall road infrastructure technology to help increase safety and awareness of the environments and obstacles we drive through daily.”
Continental and 3M will evaluate several aspects of the infrastructure and vehicle interface, including localisation and correction services using clear environmental landmarks for locating a vehicle on a high-definition map; identification and classification of objects in urban roadway environments including urban cross-walks, signalised intersections and other stationary and moving objects to improve safety; improved awareness of objects in and around work zones and the status of the work zones; and enhanced object detection using sensor fusion detectable infrastructure-related objects.
Dr Daniel Chen, VP and general manager of 3M’s transportation safety division, added: “Infrastructure plays a critical role in the safety of all road users including vehicles with or without automated technologies, and vulnerable road users. At 3M, we are dedicated to improving transportation infrastructure and mobility so all road users can arrive at their destinations safely.
“Our mission of road safety is proving to be more important as modes of mobility are changing and advancing. We are excited to collaborate with Continental on exploring infrastructure solutions that will help governments achieve their vision zero goals.”
