Autonomous Vehicles
The near future will bring a very different kind of vehicle - one that drives on its own. Autonomous vehicles are currently being developed by companies and universities all over the world. Oxford Technical Solutions' Inertial and GPS navigation systems are successfully used in various autonomous projects such as the DARPA Challenge, the self-driving Volkswagen Golf 53+1, the unmanned vehicle 'Wildcat' from BAE Systems, etc.
The RT Inertial and GPS navigation systems have continuous, smooth position measurements with no GPS jumps or dropouts which makes it an ideal tool for autonomous applications. Optional wheel-speed input reduces drift when GPS is not available. Accurate orientation (roll/pitch/heading) are essential for camera and laser scanner data processing. All RT systems are quick to install and easy to operate.
Anthony Best Dynamics
The RT3000 Inertial and GPS systems can be linked to Anthony Best Dynamics (ABD) steering, braking, and throttle robots to enable a vehicle to drive accurately down a predefined path and at a defined speed with or without a driver in the vehicle. The combined system is ideal for vehicle dynamics, durability, and vehicle misuse testing.
BAE Systems' Wildcat
The Advanced Technology Centre at BAE Systems has developed a fully autonomous ground vehicle that can not only follow a predetermined path but also sense and avoid obstacles on its way. The development of unmanned vehicles that are able to assess their position and surroundings will play an important role for military operations in the future. By using an RT3000 Inertial and GPS system, the autonomously driving 'Wildcat' can find its way even through tree-covered and urban environments where GPS signals are poor.
Volkswagen Golf GTi 53+1
The self-driving Volkswagen Golf 53+1 was not only surprising the automotive industry last year when it managed to complete its laps on a race track faster than many test drivers could do. The famous Golf, which was navigated by an RT3003, was developed to be the ultimate test driver. Unlike a human driver, the self-driving Golf can drive day and night always achieving consistent lap times with exeptional accuracy.
Gray Matter
Only five vehicles completed the 132 mile course through the Mojave Desert in the DARPA Grand Challenge 2005. Team Gray achieved the unthinkable when their autonomous vehicle KAT-5 crossed the finish line on October 9, 2005. The unmanned vehicle had an RT system from Oxford Technical Solutions onboard which navigated KAT-5 reliably through rough terrain.
TerraMax
Two RT3000 Inertial and GPS navigation systems were used to navigate TerraMax through the Nevada desert during the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2005. The autonomous truck also completed the course with no human intervention. Team Oshkosh/TerraMax will use the RT3000 systems again in this year's Urban Challenge, where accurate position and orientation under difficult GPS environments is essential to navigate the truck through traffic and busy intersections.
Cajun Bot
Cajun Bot achieved over 17 miles of the course in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge - more than double the maximum distance travelled by vehicles the year before. The RT system in the unmanned vehicle worked reliably and guided Cajun Bot through the difficult terrain.
Ragin' Bot
The team from the University of Louisiana developed a completely new vehicle for the DARPA Urban Challenge after its attempt with Cajun Bot in 2005. The RT3000 is a reliable, compact, all in one component with a high ease of use factor that is easy to integrate and will give Ragin' Bot highly accurate measurements.
Knight Rider
A dedicated team from the University of Central Florida has developed an autonomous car to compete in this year's DARPA Urban Challenge. An RT system will keep the vehicle on track by giving accurate orientation and position even through GPS outages when driving between tall buildings.
Team AnnieWay
The autonomous vehicle AnnieWay will take part in the DARPA Urban Challenge for the first time this year. The German team chose an RT3003 system to navigate their vehicle through the urban course in November.
Ben Franklin Racing Team
The Ben Franklin Racing Team is using an RT3050 to navigate its autonomous vehicle through a dynamic and constantly changing urban environment during the DARPA Challenge 2007.
Team Lux
The autonomously driving Lux is guided by an RT3040 during this year's Urban Challenge. The team is a collaboration between the laser technology experts Sick and Ibeo.