29-08-2016, 02:20 PM
1451445343-google.docx (Size: 291.52 KB / Downloads: 7)
Google is a company that prides itself on doing “cool things that matter.” One of the company’s most recent ventures is the development of a driverless car. This article explores the way in which the Google car operates, as well as the reasons for Google’s investment in such technology. Google’s vehicle is a robot-controlled Toyota Prius outfitted with several radar sensors, cameras, and laser range-finders to observe traffic. Refined software navigates routes by way of Google Maps.
History:
This project is currently being led by: Sebastian Thrun
Director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Components:
Google Maps:
Provides the car with road information
Hardware Sensors:
Provides the car with real time environment conditions
Artificial Intelligence:
Provides the car with real time decisions
Google Maps
Google Maps interacts with GPS and acts like a database
Speed limits
Upcoming intersections
Directions
The 64-beam laser allows the vehicle to generate a detailed 3D map of its environment. The car then takes these generated maps and combines them with high-resolution maps of the world, producing different types of data models that allow it to drive itself.
Hardware Sensors
Sensors attempt to create fully observable environment
The hardware sensors gives real time environmental properties
Its further Components:
1. LIDAR
2. VIDEO CAMERA
3. POSITION ESTIMATOR
4. DISTANCE SENSORLIDAR
Google driverless car as a self-driving car uses LiDAR or Light Detection And Ranging, that is a technology which uses optical remote sensing to measure the distance information of a distant target with the help of the properties of scattered light. LiDAR is the heart of the system.This is similar to the Radar technology that uses radio waves.
VIDEO CAMERA
Electronic motion pictures are acquired using video camera. Here, in self-driving car, video camera is used to capture traffic light. The information about traffic light is used to control the car on the roads especially its behavior in a traffic island. It also keeps out an eye on the pedestrians, other motorists, cyclists and other obstacles. Video cameras used here offers 45 and 90 degree field of view. Line markings are read by video cameras when compared to LiDAR.
DISTANCE SENSOR
A distance sensor is used in Google Driverless Car to detect the presence of nearby cars or obstacles and inform about the same to the required software so as to control the car accordingly. The sensor emits electromagnetic waves and checks the changes in the return signal. The kind of sensors used change with the type of targets. These types of sensors have long functional life and are highly reliable due to lack of physical contact between the target and the sensor and also due to the absence of mechanical parts.There are four automotive distance sensors that are used in these cars, that is, one in the rear side and three in the front. This technology already exists in luxury cars with the help of intelligent cruise control.
Position Estimator
The position estimator in self-driving car is meant for determining the vehicle’s location and also tracks down its movements. Orientation sensor is also equipped with this car to provide the accurate orientation.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a kind of intelligence showed by custom-build software or machines. Google Maps and the hardware sensors send the data acquired with the help of various devices to the AI (Artificial Intelligence).
The AI is the key component of Google driverless car that determines how fast the car should accelerate, determines the moment to slow down/ stop and determines when to take over the steering control of the wheel.