U-M's cityscape will test driverless vehicles

Submitted by Balrog_of_Morgoth on

M City is set to go live this spring.

http://ns.umich.edu/new/multimedia/videos/22608-u-m-s-cityscape-will-test-driverless-vehicles

From the article:

A 32-acre "mini-city" designed expressly for testing connected and automated vehicle systems, and other emerging 21st-century smart city technologies, is taking shape on the University of Michigan's North Campus.

Called M City, the one-of-a-kind facility will include a network of roads with up to five lanes, intersections, roundabouts, roadway markings, traffic signs and signals, sidewalks, bus facilities, benches, simulated buildings, streetlights, parked cars, pedestrians and obstacles like construction barriers.

"Connected and automated vehicle technology will usher in a revolution in the mobility of people and goods comparable to that sparked by the introduction of the automobile a century ago," said Peter Sweatman, director of U-M's Mobility Transformation Center. "M City will allow us to rigorously test new approaches in a safe, controlled and realistic environment before we implement them on actual streets."

 

bluebyyou

January 15th, 2015 at 6:41 PM ^

You might want to search law and autonomous cars.  Lots of laws already on the books.  This is not new technology.  Google has been developing autonomous cars for several years.  It is only recently that it has started taking off on a very large scale.  

An autonomous Audi just went from San Fran to Las Vegas for the CES with all driving being done on public roads.

mgoblue0970

January 15th, 2015 at 6:57 PM ^

You might want to tone down the snark a bit and go read the thread I was responding to again. I don't think there is a problem as such with operating an autonomous car these days on the road. Nor did I imply it.

Congrats to Audi as well. I'm a big fan as I own one.

The question is, if one isn't operating a vehicle, then how does operating under the influence apply anymore? I can get hammered on a plane or a train and it's okay as I'm just along for the ride. In an autonomous car, I'm just along for the ride as well. I think it's perfectly reasonable under that paradigm to have a couple at happy hour and let the car safely (to me and those around me) get me home.

Mi Sooner

January 15th, 2015 at 7:19 PM ^

you are still considered Captain of the Ship; therefore, yes, you can still/will get busted for DUI/DWI.  This includes the Mercedes version, GM's soon to be released efforts, BWM/Audi.

 

Fully autonomous vehicles will first operate in controlled areas such as parking lots; where your vehicle will park itself.  No humans allowed in the parking lot -- only vehicles with the ability to park themselves.  This will include the vehicle communicating to the parking structure to go to a designated parking spot, coordination with other vehicles performing the same tasks -- parking and exiting.

Blue Indy

January 15th, 2015 at 6:03 PM ^

As an Orientation & Mobility Specialist, these technologies are very exciting in my field. I also have a lot of pride that my alma mater is breaking ground! I had heard about the project a while back but didn't know it was being integrated this spring- I might have to do a spring game/professional development trip to A2!

gord

January 15th, 2015 at 6:09 PM ^

I wonder if some people will have a problem with the government being able to track and record everyone's movements.  I don't have a problem with it because I'd rather eliminate accidents but get ready for the debate if this ever becomes feasible. 

mgoblue0970

January 15th, 2015 at 7:00 PM ^

I have a huge problem with it. But I have begrudgingly come to realize the notion of privacy anymore these days has become a farce... ...and the sheeple seem to be okay with it happening right under their noses too.

StephenRKass

January 15th, 2015 at 6:24 PM ^

You've missed the biggest advantage of this technology: now you can stay plugged in to MGoBlog and Michigan sports ALL the time. No more putting away devices because you're "driving." Think of the productivity! You won't have to miss a single post or thread because you're driving ever again! What could be better? And if your device will ring or beep to wake you up when a new post is put up, you can even take it to bed with you. What a magnificent obsession.

TruBluMich

January 15th, 2015 at 6:32 PM ^

Are they also going to build the city needed to stop the group, who will enivitably hack the system and act like they're playing a game of GTA with real cars.

Marshall Applewhite

January 15th, 2015 at 7:13 PM ^

This is huuuuuuuge for Ann Arbor. I saw a clip on CNBC last week of an Audi driving itself on the highway, and it was awesome. If the U.S. manufacturers can get out in front of this, they'll flourish like crazy and guide the State of Michigan back to being an economic juggernaut. It's obviously going to be an uphill battle with car insurance companies and police officers unions(due to lost accident insurance and DUI revenue), but frankly we shouldn't prevent progress to benefit a select few entities living in the past.

treetown

January 15th, 2015 at 7:25 PM ^

I can see "self drive" vehicles being very helpful as a safety feature for long haul drivers. It will help prevent a fatigued driver from careening off the road or  making a turn off of an overpass.

Shop Smart Sho…

January 15th, 2015 at 8:17 PM ^

So they're trying to sell this as a way to reduce costs and the transportation of goods?  How about a functional rail system instead of autonomous cars that will take decades, if not longer, to gain acceptance in the nation that most values personal freedoms.