Hyundai Motor Company successfully conducted the company's first ever test of self-driving trucks while driving in a convoy.
The experiment was carried out on the Yeoju smart highway in South Korea. This 7,7 km test track is used for the development of autonomous driving systems. Cars constantly drive along the road, simulating the conditions of a real expressway.
As part of the experiment, two Xcient long-haul tractors with trailers were used. The vehicles are equipped with a V2V (Vehicle-To-Vehicle) system: this technology involves the constant exchange of information between nearby vehicles.
The formation of a convoy occurs when the driver of the second truck approaches the lead one and turns on the coordination mode. After this, the driven tractor maintains a distance of 16,7 m and adapts to the acceleration and braking of the lead vehicle. In this case, the driver does not need to use the accelerator and brake pedals. Moreover, this mode also activates the lane keeping system, allowing the truck driver to keep his hands off the steering wheel. In other words, the driven truck moves completely independently.
In convoy mode, trucks can easily cope with situations where other vehicles are periodically built into the convoy. If a vehicle is positioned in front of a truck in a convoy, the latter automatically increases the distance to at least 25 m. When the lead truck stops suddenly for any reason, the system applies the brakes and stops the trailing truck.
Interestingly, Hyundai's V2V system transmits video images from the lead vehicle to the driver of the slave truck. This provides the co-driver with an excellent view of the road ahead.
When the convoy moves in a coordinated manner behind the lead vehicle, less air resistance is created. This makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions and generally improve the environmental friendliness of transport. In addition, drivers of driven vehicles are less tired, which makes it possible to stay on the road longer (subject to periodic changes of the leading truck).
Source: 3dnews.ru