Technology, with OTA Updates, Integrated into Car Design
Volvo Cars, one of the leading voices talking about autonomous driving through its historic “safety” lens, announced this week that it’s next generation of cars will have lidar from the tech firm Luminar as part of those models’ advanced technology. Models incorporating Lidar (shorthand for the use of laser light to measure objects in 3D) are expected in 2022, part of the first wave of autonomous vehicles promised by Volvo.
As has been expected by industry observers, the conspicuous lidar technology currently seen on Waymo, Cruise and other vehicles, has been more seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s roof design, based on photos released by Volvo. First use of autonomous operation, which Volvo is calling Highway Pilot, is expected to be limited to certrain driving situation, such as on a limited access highway or geofenced area with supporting infrastructure.
The vehicle architecture unlying the new models is Volvo’s SPA modular vehicle architecture that is expected to underpin a vaiety of new cars. Another feature of the SPA system is that it will be able to have software, such as that controlling the lidar, updated over-the-air (OTA), a process pionerred by Tesla with positive consumer results.
“Autonomous drive has the potential to be one of the most lifesaving technologies in history, if introduced responsibly and safely,” said Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars. “Providing our future cars with the vision they require to make safe decisions is an important step in that direction.”
In addition to the Highway Pilot feature, Volvo Cars and Luminar are also exploring lidar’s role in improving future advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), with an eye to potentially equipping all future SPA2-based cars with a lidar sensor as standard equipment. That would be in keeping with past Volvo safety innovations.
The Lidar Tech
Luminar’s technology is based on its high-performance LiDAR sensors, which emit millions of pulses of laser light to accurately detect where objects are by scanning the environment in 3D, creating a temporary, real-time map without requiring internet connectivity.
Volvo and Luminar see lidar as key to creating cars that can navigate safely in autonomous mode, providing them with the reliable vision and perception that cameras and radar alone cannot provide. This is in contrast to Tesla that believes camera and radar-based systems are sufficient to deliver a self-driving platform.
To enable the Highway Pilot feature, Luminar’s perception technology will be combined with autonomous drive software and the cameras, radars and back-up systems for functions such as steering, braking and battery power installed on forthcoming Volvo cars equipped for self-driving. Together, Volvo says this will give users—as opposed to drivers–access to a safe, fully self-driving feature for use on highways.
“Soon, your Volvo will be able to drive autonomously on highways when the car determines it is safe to do so,” said Henrik Green. “At that point, your Volvo takes responsibility for the driving and you can relax, take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel. Over time, updates over the air will expand the areas in which the car can drive itself. For us, a safe introduction of autonomy is a gradual introduction.”
Volvo Cars, a part of Zhejiang Geely Holding of China, and Luminar, which is based in Silicon Valley, are deepening their collaboration and Volvo has also signed an agreement to possibly increase its minority stake in Luminar.
“Volvo is recognised as the pioneer of automotive safety, having driven standardisation across the industry for the most advanced life-saving technologies,” said Austin Russell, founder and CEO of Luminar. “The next era of safety lies within autonomous driving and once again, Volvo has taken the lead with a major industry milestone. We’ve solved the key cost, performance, and auto-grade challenges to make series production possible, and alongside Volvo are making the technology available to the world.”
While some automakers have announced the introduction of autonomous technology next year, it would appear that with the industry’s current economic delays, Volvo will not be late to the self-driving party.
Related Stories You Might Enjoy–More Self-Driving News
News: Autonomous Driving Evolves in Las Vegas
News: Lexus LS500h Is Self-Driving Test Platform
1 thought on “News: Volvo Cars To Add Luminar Lidar in Move To Self-driving”