An automated driving system is essentially a computerised system that assumes all real time functions that are required in order to drive a vehicle, without any input from a human driver or operator. There are two types of types of automation, conditional automation and full automation. Conditional automation is when the car is capable of driving itself, but not in all real life conditions. Full automation is when no human is required to be present in the vehicle.
BMW, at the CES 2014, took a leap forward in the field of autonomous vehicles. It introduced the computerized systems required for the car to steer, accelerate, and brake autonomously. The system was demonstrated on a wet corner. The stability systems were turned off, and the car was allowed to skid on the corner. As it started to slide, the system performed a counter steering maneuver, preventing the car from doing a 180. This was pretty impressive, even though the track was programmed into the car’s GPS system.
The new BMW i3 (electric) has an even better system, that allows for autonomous parallel parking. The car has ultrasonic sensors which scan to the right and left of the car to look for obstacles. Apparently the car can park comfortably in any space just 22 inches longer than the car itself. However, a well-defined curb was set up for the car to see, and the car may not perform so perfectly in real life situations.
These advances in the technology required to automate cars is pushing BMW ahead into 2014. With driverless and self-parking, the company gives competition to full automated vehicle systems, such as the Google Car.
BMW 2014 is all about driverless and self-parking
