The rise of road accidents across the globe has raised major concerns among lawmakers. Overspeeding, drunk driving, and safety negligence (such as the non-use of helmets, seatbelts, child restraints, etc.) are among the most common causes of road accidents. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, the mortality rate of approximately 1.3 million people are cut-short due to road accidents.
Road traffic fatalities are common among vulnerable road users: cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. In addition, as per sources, 93% of road accidents occur in low- and middle-income countries, although those countries account for 60% (approx.) of the world’s vehicles.
Keeping all these in mind, many lawmakers and passenger vehicle manufacturers are focusing on road safety. At the same time, several companies, including startups, are researching and developing potential life-saving driving assistance technologies. ADAS and self-driving vehicles are among those technologies. Those two are currently used in modern cars, but they have their downsides, as well.
However, there is always a better alternative, but that alternative will also have its downside.
So, let’s see what are the current trends in modern automotive safety and how they can be helpful.
Latest Trends in Automotive Safety
Samsung Safety Truck
Not long ago, there was a video of a Samsung-developed Safety truck test mule and its goal is to make roadways much safer for all drivers. That Safety Truck incorporates a high-definition wireless camera at its front end, which streams its front traffic to the four exterior monitors placed on the back of the truck. The concept behind this is to give the live traffic status ahead of the truck. And, as you may have experienced while driving on the road, a full-size commercial vehicle blocks the view ahead for the rear vehicle.
Currently, Samsung is associating with several NGOs and state governments to sail through the regulations and source funding to implement this potentially life-saving technology on trucks globally.
Latest Updates: Automotive News
The Next-Gen Laser and 3D-Mapping Technology
A California-based startup, Aeva, founded by former Apple engineers is currently developing the next-generation iteration of the laser and 3D-mapping technology that most self-driving vehicles are based on.
LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, has a remote sensing method that utilizes light in the pulsed laser form to measure ranges- also called variable distances. When applied in automotive, this technology understands the overall layout of roads and surroundings. Basically, it is an advanced version of the software that self-driving vehicles have.
To test this software, the Aeva developers decided to ride small vehicles, such as golf carts and scooters, in zig-zagging patterns, as the users of these vehicles tend to less adhere to the straight paths in well-demarcated tarmacs. Now, this Aeva sensor will process the multiple moving objects that are present within the radius by evaluating the speed and velocity, due to which, it will be able to take an informed decision to avoid the possible danger.
The consolidation of sensors and cameras into a piece of hardware, this product seems to promise in providing a complete device that can deliver sharper and more integrated data to self-driving car software. Furthermore, it can also function to its peak performance in all weather conditions as well as on less illuminated roads.
All-in-all, this technology stills needs to go through several test stages as there are several challenges that are yet to be resolved. This tech will mostly thrive on algorithms and artificial intelligence. Moreover, many experts who are witnessing the development of Aeva’s 4D LIDAR device seem to look forward to its implementation in all vehicles thanks to the one-of-its-kind ability to generate signals and send them to the software effectively. That said, experts and critics seem to have more inclination toward this tech over the controversial Tesla Autopilot.
Verdict
There is no doubt that the advancement in technology is endless and the dependency on it has also increased. Automotive technology, at the same time, has also evolved over the years, as far as driving assistance and safety are concerned. As of now, in modern vehicles, there are several levels of ADAS suites in different vehicles. There are five levels in ADAS- the higher the level, the more autonomous the vehicle will be. Cars with LEVEL-5 ADAS don’t require human intervention. It won’t have any steering wheel, pedals, or other controls. The passenger in these vehicles will only have to set a destination, while the car will take over the rest. Given that, there shouldn’t be a sole dependency on artificial intelligence, as it’s a robot/machine after all.
Moreover, there have been several road accidents with Tesla’s “Autopilot”. In fact, the Autopilot is considered a LEVEL-2 ADAS that works in tandem with LEVEL-1 ADAS. Just so you know, every level of ADAS work in tandem.
From LEVEL-3 ADAS, most things become a sci-fi and this requires more R&D to actually become road legal. With years, upcoming cars will have improved safety offerings. But again, never solely rely on a machine.
