PSA GROUP - PROGRESS REPORT: AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE DRIVING
>> Groupe PSA deploys autonomous driving functions with the AVA "Autonomous Vehicle for All" program
>> Groupe PSA participates in the European L3Pilot project
>> Autonomous vehicles reach a new milestone thanks to the collaboration between Groupe PSA and VINCI Autoroutes.
The AVA programme brings together a range of driving assistance functions that will lead to the autonomous car. The Group’s autonomous car will be built around these concepts:
> easy-to-use technology for all: To accompany the driver with self-driving functions, the Groupe PSA designs interfaces that are simple to use and intuitive, so that drivers can interact comfortably with their cars, and are able to take the wheel at any time;
> an offer for all: built of different degrees of autonomy to respond to customers’ different expectations;
> a programme for all: deployed on the Groupe PSA’s three brands, Peugeot, Citroën and DS.
The AVA "autonomous vehicle for all" programme is deployed in several stages. Automation of Groupe PSA models is already in progress, as driving assistance functions are already available on several of the Group’s models:
> the Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, Traveller and the new Peugeot 3008, the Citroën C4 Picasso, the C3 and the SpaceTourer in Europe;
> the Peugeot 4008 and the Citroën C6 in China.
Some illustrations of the Level 1 functions (see “Did you know?” for the different automation levels)
> the car adapts to the speed of the car in front of it, it maintains a safe distance and is able to stop automatically through the “cruise control with stop function”;
> the car warns the driver in case of a possible accident using “collision risk alert”; if necessary the car can automatically brake using “automatic emergency braking”;
> the car comes automatically back into lane should it go out of it using the “lane departure warning system”;
> the car detects a parking space according to its size and commands the steering system to complete the parking manoeuvre using “Park Assist”.
Groupe PSA participates in the European L3Pilot project
The aim of the L3Pilot project is to test and validate autonomous driving as an efficient and safe means of transport. Tests will all be conducted on open roads in several European countries. They will assess technical aspects, driving behaviour, user acceptance, impact on traffic and safety in various driving conditions (urban environments, roads and motorways).
The four-year European project launched in 2017 has an overall budget of €68 million, half of which is funded by the European Commission.
Groupe PSA’s participation in this international project confirms its commitment to the development of autonomous driving technologies. With its “Autonomous Vehicle for All” (AVA) programme, the Group is gradually bringing autonomous driving functions to the market.
Groupe’s participation in the project is also strengthening its expertise in the development of autonomous vehicles thanks to a global ecosystem of partners, including European carmakers, research centres, roads authorities…
Groupe PSA will share the project feedback with the other partners to find-tune the necessary systems and establish a code of good practices.
To find out more about the L3Pilot project
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES REACH A NEW MILESTONE THANKS TO THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN GROUPE PSA AND VINCI AUTOROUTES
Groupe PSA and VINCI Autoroutes have tested new autonomous vehicle features in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines (France), following on from the trial carried out in July 2017. The driving situations tested in this new phase of the common programme require more sophisticated communication between the autonomous vehicle and road infrastructure. The goal is to improve the vehicle’s ability to adapt its driving in exceptional or complex situations.
This operation is part of a collaboration between the two partners, which began in 2016. The results of these trials will feed into the standardisation work that will be carried out in various collaborative projects such as C-Roads or the SAM Project, to which both groups contribute.
On 11 July, VINCI Autoroutes and Groupe PSA have deepen trials to assess a vehicle’s ability to drive autonomously at cruising speed and pass through a tollgate in autonomous mode. Two new complex driving situations were also tested in real traffic conditions on the VINCI Autoroutes network:
> changing into autonomous mode in a traffic area temporarily altered due to roadworks;
> performing a “safe stop”, which involves the vehicle driving to a safe place in the event that the driver does not take back control in a specific situation (exceptional presence of obstacles on the road, severely deteriorated weather conditions, etc.) or in case of the end of the motorway.
These trials were carried out on the A10 and A11 motorways between Dourdan and Ablis using a Groupe PSA Peugeot 3008 prototype, which is part of the autonomous vehicle fleet for the AVA “Autonomous Vehicle for All” programme.
Carla GOHIN, Groupe PSA’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “This trial is an additional step towards the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Two years after the first trial, the aim was to include even more constraints in the use cases by strengthening communication between the autonomous vehicle and the road infrastructure in order to broaden the scope of the system’s action while ensuring safety. These trials demonstrate the innovative and practical nature of the collaboration between Groupe PSA and VINCI Autoroutes, which is vital for the development of autonomous vehicles.”
“Smart motorway infrastructure is an essential asset in the development of autonomous vehicles. It enhances the contextual data shared with the navigation system to optimise the vehicle’s decision-making abilities and route,” said Pierre COPPEY, Chairman of VINCI Autoroutes and Executive Vice-President of VINCI. “In this respect, our collaboration with PSA is full of promise. The motorway network offers a life-sized testing ground for new mobility solutions that will revolutionize road use in the future.”
