Autonomous Cars – A Clear Winter Perspective
It’s only a matter of time before we see autonomous vehicles taking to the streets in force. However, are current models really autonomous?
The majority of research and development has been focused on addressing the complexities of navigating today’s chaotic road environments. However, there are still other areas that must be addressed in order to make these vehicles truly autonomous.
For example, one current limitation of autonomous vehicles is that they do not engage/disengage snow removal systems. In fact, in locations that have winter conditions, passengers must control their windshield wipers and side-mirror/rear-defrost defoggers manually or utilize a temperature based system that engages at 32F/0C or below. This means that defoggers/deicers are effectively on the whole winter and wipers cannot engage due to the inability to detect non-liquified precipitation in form of ice and snow. Some manufacturers have excluded windshield wipers all together, however, critics argue that this will make passengers feel more helpless. More importantly, regardless of future technology advancements, would the average buying consumer be comfortable in a vehicle without being able to see ahead whilst the vehicle is navigating traffic on busy roads and highways? What about in winter environments? This is after all not a train on a track. The autonomous vehicle industry needs to become further in tune with consumers comfort levels of autonomous features, and allow buyers the opportunity to look out the window in confidence. Regardless of who is driving, consumers will be more comfortable being able to a have a clear view through conventional front and rear glass perspectives. For side mirrors or future camera replacements, the need to have a defogged perspective will be necessary to potentially promote consumer self-safety perceptions.
While there are currently windshield wiper rain sensors on the market, they can be unreliable and flawed as some engage due to false positives as result of ambient light. Some of the newer vehicles have perfected this with additional technology, but the overall cost and sheer size of the sensor technology on the windshield can be significant. While rain sensors are better, the matching of wiper speed to that of rain intensity has yet to be perfected. Snow/Ice sensors on the other hand, are virtually non-existent in the automotive market.
Podium Automotive has developed and internationally patented two sensor technologies to effectively address these industry needs. One is a rain intensity sensor which is inexpensive, very small compared to existing technology, made from off-the-shelf components, and has a very high level of efficacy. The second is a revolutionary, cost effective winter precipitation sensor. The sensor technology can be applied for fully autonomous wiper systems, heated wiper pads/blades and heated windshields. This effective technology can also prove to be an efficient energy drain saver for the heated sideview mirrors and/or future cameras as well as rear defrost requirements. The technology allows vehicles to accurately determine when autonomous snow removal or de-icing systems require activation, and turn off when the frozen precipitation in gone thereby providing additional hands-free convenience for drivers as well as saving significant amounts of energy and allowing vehicles to reach their full mileage potential. These sensors when used together, allow for the autonomous control of windshield wipers and defoggers/deicers on both windshields and side mirrors as well as any other surface.
Technologies such as these will be crucial in ensuring future autonomous vehicles are truly autonomous, promote safety and provide a clear view to anxious consumers looking out.
Podium Automotive is dedicated to autonomous vehicle safety and is presently testing additional technology that remotely detects road based winter precipitation to effectively engage traction control and vehicle speed to promote safety.
Podium Automotive: First in Sensor Innovation
