Renault and French toll booth operator Sanef have teamed up to investigate into one of the biggest challenges of autonomous cars to date: what happens at a toll booth or any other type of paid-for road intersection when an autonomous car approaches it.
Unsurprisingly, considering Sanef operates toll booths, the major focus of the research is on creating toll booths that work with existing infrastructure, but make it simple for autonomous cars to overcome the challenges of autonomously deciding how to deal with such an obstacle.
The two companies are creating the technology that will allow the toll road equipment to communicate with cars via Wi-Fi, helping the cars make a better decision about how to proceed through the barrier.
Renault’s Mathieu Lips said the partnership’s objective is to make improvements in safety, while also ensuring passengers experience comfortable travel in driverless cars with no problems or interruptions.
With independent cars at the highest point of auto producer’s schedules, many are concentrating on the fundamental tech required to make autonomous vehicles more popular.
The duo started with taking a shot at the venture in June 2016, trialing its jointly-developed technology along the A13 freeway in Normandy and the project is set to continue until 2018, the two companies said.
Autonomous cars will be provided with data about the forthcoming toll around a kilometer ahead of time and will then envision and take its place in a lane coherent with autonomous cars.
The car will slow down as indicated by speed signs, and will continue to be monitored as it approaches the toll booth using sensors that cross-reference a detailed map of the area.
“Maximising safety for drivers, passengers and others with autonomous cars requires several stakeholders in both government and the private sector working together, each bringing unique expertise.” Lips said. “Our goal is to work with Sanef to develop advances in safety and the right solutions to bring as soon as possible to customers the most comfortable travel in autonomous drive without interruption.”
