vehicles.jpg

The U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research and Development and Engineering Center will be testing radio equipment in late June along Interstate 69 in Lapeer and St. Clair counties to aid in development of driverless technology.

(Courtesy Photo)

LAPEER COUNTY, MI - U.S. Army convoys are set to roll down the interstate in Lapeer and St. Clair counties as part of a first-time testing of driverless military vehicle equipment on public roadways in the state.

If successful, officials say the technology that may save the lives of soldiers thousands of miles away.

Representatives from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center, or TARDEC, and Michigan Department of Transportation met with residents in Imlay City and Capac on May 23 to discuss the testing scheduled for late June along Interstate 69.

Alex Kade, chief system architect in ground vehicle robotics for TARDEC, said six radio transmitters are being set up along the interstate to allow for groups of five vehicles -- one lead and four followers -- to broadcast speed, distance, and traffic issues as directed over the frequency.

The interstate will remain open to traffic during the testing period, with the stretch of roadway chosen in part due to its proximity to TARDEC's headquarters in Warren.

Scott Heim, test engineer for TARDEC, said there will be someone behind the wheel of each vehicle amounting to a commercial 18-wheeler that have been equipped with features from the driverless vehicle systems, such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.

Data collected on laptops in each vehicle will be used to assess reliability of the radio communications system and conduct further tests including driverless versions.

Doug Halleaux, public affairs officer for TARDEC, said the advancement of driverless vehicles could allow for convoys of supplies to run 24 hours a day, while Kade added it may lower vehicle accidents and cut down on dangerous combat situations for soldiers.

"I think that was a big driving factor into getting us to start looking at this stuff, is to getting the guys out of vehicles they don't have to be in," said Kade of roadside bombs and IEDs troops have encountered overseas.

"There's certain situations soldiers have to be in (vehicles), combat situations, but if it's not necessarily a direct combat situation, a support role, why risk a soldier's life doing something like that?"

There has been some interest in the driverless technology from commercial outfits, Heim said, with Kade -- a former General Motors employee -- hoping the testing will provide some economic boost for the state.

"I think we want to do this, we want to get Michigan known as the automation hub," he said. "Automated vehicles are coming one way or another. If there's any business we can attract or industry we can attract showing them we're involved in this might help."