Driverless Cars Take to the Road In UK Town

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Once thought to be the domain of science fiction, these Cybercars are now a reality and looked upon as the possible solution to boosting use of public transportation while reducing reliance on private motor vehicles. Daventry, along with other European cities, is showcasing these futuristic vehicles to the public for limited demonstration runs.

Requiring only a light track to operate, the vehicles are designed for short trips at low speeds in urban environments. They are intended to transport people to areas where private motor vehicles have limited access. Tourist areas are an example where they will be of most use.

A Windows Media Video of how the Cybercar's laser eyes detects road borders and avoids obstacles can be viewed here. (If you are unable to view the video, go to this page and click on "Videos." Download the video "SP 1 showcase cybercar road border detection demonstration.wmv" and view with a wmv capable video player.)

Daventry is one of a number of European cities involved in CityMobil, a research project spearheaded by the European Commission. The overall goal of the project is to reduce congestion and pollution in urban areas through more efficient use of motorized traffic. It is believed this can be achieved through implementing

advanced concepts for innovative autonomous and automated road vehicles for passengers and goods, embedded in an advanced spatial setting.

The European Commission also believes this will result in safer driving and a higher quality of living.

In April of this year, the Daily Mail reported about a driverless family car developed by Ibeo Automobile Sensor, a laser tech company in Hamburg, Germany. Laser-scanner eyes in the front and back of the car feed data into an in-vehicle computer so it can "see" the road ahead and behind. By linking the computer to SatNav (satellite navigation) software, a 200-yard radius of the car's surrounding (e.g. other cars, buildings, road conditions, pedestrians) is mapped out. This then enables the computer to dictate how the car should steer and whether it should accelerate, brake or change gears. The car is also able to navigate in rush hour traffic, do an emergency brake should a pedestrian step onto the road, and reverse to get out of a tight spot.

The hi-tech equipment which makes this possible can be fitted into a standard model car with little noticeable alteration in appearance. Translation: The car still looks like your standard road model. No weird bits and pieces of antennae protruding from it.

Dubbed "Lux" (Latin for light), Ibeo says they have conducted advanced talks with such auto makers as BMW, Honda, Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler on implementing their technology. Prototypes of the driverless family car are expected out before the end of 2007. Within two years it is expected the technology will be available in standard cars to the general public. But it will be up to governments whether driverless private cars can legally take to the public roads.

Ibeo's credo is to make cars both safer and more user-friendly through their laser technology. Company spokesperson Karen Tippkotter, however, issues one caveat regarding the new hi-tech automobiles:

At the moment they won't hit the brakes to avoid a speed camera or warn you that a parking warden is approaching. But maybe that's something we should work on.

The above video shows Team LUX preparing their driverless entry car for the 2007 DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge. This event is solely for automated vehicles.