Project

AdaptIVe will enhance the performance and improve the acceptance of automated driving of cars and trucks. The project develops new and integrated automated functions to improve traffic safety by minimizing the effects of human errors and to enhance traffic efficiency by smoother flows and reduced congestion. The approach is based on a shared control concept, assuring proper collaboration between the driver and the automation system. This is realised using cooperative vehicle technologies, advanced obstacle sensors and adaptive schemes where the level of automation dynamically responds to the situation and driver status. The project will demonstrate and evaluate eight advanced vehicles – seven cars and one truck – with various combinations of automated functions. These implementations will be based on the needs of different environments and levels of traffic complexity, including motorways, urban scenarios and close-distance manoeuvres. Several common features developed in these vehicles will establish fundamental building blocks for the future exploitation of automated driving, in terms of architecture, fault-tolerance, and human factors. Communication technologies will be employed as a key enabler of highly automated schemes supporting cooperative traffic and improving road safety. In addition to the technological and ergonomic aspects, AdaptIVe will address important legal issues that might impact on the successful market introduction of automated systems; in particular product liability and road traffic laws. It will identify the legal implications for manufacturers and drivers and examine the need for corresponding changes in regulation. By demonstrating these results, AdaptIVe will significantly improve the knowledge base for automated driving and strengthen the position of European industries in the area of Intelligent Vehicles and road safety.