Intelligent vehicles put to the test on Europe's roads

(PhysOrg.com) -- The automotive industry has joined forces with researchers and stakeholders in a smart drive to test 'intelligent', in-vehicle technologies on real roads, with real drivers.

The programme will put eight new technologies through their paces, including lateral and longitudinal control systems which warn drivers of potential side- and front-end collisions. Other advanced in-vehicle systems, such as a curve-speed warning, fuel-efficiency adviser and the human-machine interaction with navigation systems will be tested.

The euroFOT programme will enlist the services of up to 1000 vehicles - all from European makers - equipped with various intelligent, in-vehicle systems which will be road tested Europe-wide throughout 2010. These smart vehicles will collect data on the impact of the new systems on safety, efficiency and driver comfort.

Aria Etemad of Ford noted ahead of the recent World Congress for Intelligent Transport Systems, in Stockholm, that this is the first large-scale field operational test carried out across brands in Europe.

Etemad is also coordinator of the EU-funded euroFOT whose 28 partner organisations are looking to raise awareness and provide scientifically sound feedback about the real benefits of these intelligent systems.

The project support the EU’s wider ambition to make Europe’s roads safer and better to drive on with the help of ICTs - a goal brought to life by the ‘Intelligent Car’ initiative which has identified road safety, energy efficiency and traffic congestion as key challenges to the transportation sector.

Drivers are probably already familiar with a few existing in-vehicle intelligent features like anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and adaptive headlights. But this EU initiative also explores a raft of new and exciting possibilities, such as wireless local danger warnings and the so-called ‘intersection assistant’.

Provided by ICT Results