author: Paul Young

Jaguar Land Rover is leading a new project to develop self-driving cars that can ‘see' at blind intersections and even through obstacles. The project named ‘AutopleX', will combine combine connected, automated and live mapping technology to provide more information to enable self-driving cars to ‘see' and ‘talk to' each other. The aim is to enable self-driving cars to communicate with other road users and infrastructure, where there's no direct line of sight, in effect helping the vehicles to ‘see' around corners, so they can safely merge lanes and negotiate complex traffic circles autonomously. The system will be developed through computer simulation and by public road testing, both on freeways and in urban environments in the West Midlands region of England. Chris Holmes, Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Research Manager at Jaguar Land Rover said: "This project is crucial in order to bring self-driving cars to our customers in the near future. Together with our AutopleX partners, we will merge our connected and autonomous research to empower our self-driving vehicles to operate safely in the most challenging, real-world traffic situations. This project will ensure we deliver the most sophisticated and capable automated driving technology." "We're really pleased to be part of the AutopleX team that has secured funding to focus on this crucial aspect of autonomous vehicle research," added Ricardo chief operating officer Mark Garrett. "Autonomous vehicles offer the prospect of improved safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability of transportation. We look forward to working with our partners on the AutopleX project which will, I believe, deliver some highly useful insights that help pull forward the implementation of this very promising technology." Jaguar Land Rover is developing semi and fully automated self-driving systems, so customers can choose between an ‘engaged' drive, and just sitting back and letting the car getting on with it, in the widest possible range of real-life, on and off-road driving environments and weather. Led by Jaguar Land Rover, AutopleX is a $6.5 million project to develop self-driving cars that can ‘see' at blind junctions and through obstacles. AutopleX will combine connected, automated and live mapping tech so more information is provided earlier to the self-driving car. This enables automated cars to communicate with all road users and obstacles where there is no direct view, effectively helping them see, so they can safely merge lanes and negotiate complex roundabouts autonomously. AutopleX will develop the technology through simulation and public road testing both on UK motorways and in urban environments in the West Midlands and will be joined by other major automotive partners.

Highways England, INRIX, Ricardo, Siemens, Transport for West Midlands and WMG at the University of Warwick joined the AutopleX consortium, which was announced as part of Innovate UK's third round of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Funding in March 2018.