Autonomous car passes city driving test

Self-driving cars are no longer science fiction and a vehicle created by an Italian group has now brought fully autonomous vehicles another step closer to reality by being the first to navigate peak-hour city, rural and highway traffic with nobody behind the wheel.

Italian technology company VisLab was behind the world-first driverless vehicle test, in which its BRAiVE self-driving system allowed an otherwise standard passenger sedan to complete a complex route through traffic, roundabouts, tunnels, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings without incident in Parma.

Though there are several legal issues surrounding self-driving vehicles -- what if they crash, can they be hacked, who is at fault? -- VisLab is pushing the boundaries with its BRAiVE technology-guided car, which completed an extended drive that took in "rural roads, freeway-like scenarios and finally urban driving in total autonomy".

VisLab has previously successfully tested off-road autonomous driving systems but says navigating traffic lights, tunnels, rural roads, highways, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings was a milestone event that proves its technology is sound.

The next step is commercialisation of the technology, but VisLab has not put a date on this.

Permission from the local Polizia Stradale (traffic police), Italian Internal Ministry and several other government bodies was granted for the test amid public traffic, which was "of paramount importance for the validation of the final system," says VisLab

The test car used BRAiVE technology that allows it to drive without any input from a human operator. It works by using several “low-cost” cameras and sensors on the car that can detect road markings, signs, traffic and pedestrians, and computers that accelerate, brake and steer the vehicle.

VisLab asserts that specific legislation is already being considered in several European countries to allow for driver-free cars on local roads, which would allow its high-tech system to populate roads.

Currently only three US states have laws allowing for autonomous cars to navigate public roads -- California, Florida and Nevada.

Tuned and tested in Europe and China, VisLab says its BRAiVE system is superior to many others being tested, in that it provides 360-degree perception without needing radars, lasers or "invasive" equipment fixed to vehicle roofs.

It claims its camera-based system can be cleverly and affordably integrated into a car, leaving the vehicle's original design unsullied.

VisLab has been bankrolled by several ventures, including the Rete Alta Tecnologia's 'Tecnopoli' project. It has also been granted funds from the European Research Council and says "new international partners then joined the project and are expected to promote results [of the recent drive] globally soon".

Many publicly available cars already have semi-autonomous systems, like radar-based cruise control that takes care of acceleration and braking, and lane departure warning systems that steer cars back into their lanes.

Major car-makers actively working on autonomous cars include Toyota, Audi, GM, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Tech company Google also has a program, as does Bosch and Continental.

If a company like VisLab sealed a deal with a mainstream car manufacturer to offer its systems on new cars, it could change the way we travel, potentially improving traffic flow and spare time for motorists during commuting.

Would you travel in an autonomous car? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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