Engineering moves you to the future
Autonomous
Future is ready to Sense - Think - Act
What was once considered a distant possibility has now become a tangible reality as the concept of self-driving vehicles has rapidly progressed. The vision of autonomous vehicles encompasses a comprehensive set of capabilities that parallel those of human drivers. These capabilities revolve around the ability to perceive and comprehend the surrounding environment ("Sense"), analyze the gathered information to formulate a driving strategy ("Think"), and execute the planned strategy with utmost safety and precision ("Act").
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Pedestrian Recognition
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Lane Keeping Assist
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Braking Assist
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Blind Spot Indication
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Adaptive Cruise Control
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Parking Assist
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Static and Moving Object Detection
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3D Object Recognition
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Automatic Charger Detection
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Überview, 360° Surround View
MEAtec recognizes the transformative potential of self-driving vehicles and is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions in this field. With our expertise in automotive engineering, we are actively involved in advancing the vision of self-driving vehicles.
Evolution of Autonomous Driving
The automotive manufacturing sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation as it progresses from Level 0 to Level 2, focusing on the advancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). In recent years, there has been a substantial surge in the adoption of ADAS Level 1, which encompasses various features such as lidar distance sensing, parking assist, integrated cruise control, blind spot indicators, and lane-keeping assist.
Currently, automotive manufacturers and suppliers are producing Level 2 vehicles, with some incorporating functional features from Level 3 into their systems. Level 4, known as high automation, represents a significant milestone in autonomous driving, wherein the vehicle can autonomously handle all aspects of driving under specific conditions without human intervention. Looking ahead, the ultimate vision of Level 5 automation, where no driver is required, awaits the development, testing, and comprehensive validation of intricate and interdependent technologies and infrastructure. This vision is eagerly embraced by many, and MEAtec stands as a dependable partner for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier One suppliers throughout this transformative process. With a focus on delivering personalized support tailored to the specific needs of customers, MEAtec provides expert engineering assistance to enable the realization of these ambitious goals.
SENSE - The Eyes and Ears of Automated Cars
Sensors are integral to the operational capabilities of autonomous vehicles, serving as the primary means of perception and awareness. Functioning as the "eyes and ears" of the vehicle, sensors gather essential information about the surrounding environment, including the positions of nearby vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, traffic signals, and road signs. The diverse and multimodal nature of the data collected by these sensors forms the foundation for the decision-making processes within automated vehicles. Consequently, sensors are fundamental to the self-determining technology employed by autonomous vehicles, particularly at SAE Level 4, where they assume a pivotal role in realizing the driverless experience. By leveraging advanced sensor technologies, the automotive industry is forging a path towards a future characterized by enhanced safety, efficiency, and convenience.
Camera sensors are an important component of autonomous vehicles as they allow the vehicle to perceive and understand its environment. They provide the vehicle with the ability to detect and track objects such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic signals. Near-range cameras have the ability to create three-dimensional images of objects around the vehicle.
THINK - Artificial Intelligence and Behavioral Prediction
Artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionizes the automotive industry by emulating human intelligence in machines, enabling them to mimic human thinking and actions. This cutting-edge technology leverages algorithms and predefined models to facilitate learning and decision-making processes. AI integration in vehicles encompasses cloud computing, deep learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cognitive systems. Equipped with cameras and various sensors, AI-powered systems perceive their surroundings, process the collected data, and make informed decisions while executing actions and delivering outputs based on their programming. These sensory inputs are interpreted and acted upon using pre-defined or learned models.
The software serves as the central intelligence of autonomous vehicles, encompassing adaptive algorithms that continuously learn from incoming data captured by surrounding sensors. Neural networks within the vehicles are trained using real-world driving scenarios, enabling them to predict the behavior of objects and pedestrians on the road. Deep learning algorithms analyze sensor data to forecast the potential actions of surrounding objects, thus preventing collisions and enhancing road safety.
By employing sophisticated interpretation models, the system effectively identifies complex driving scenarios that may be challenging for human drivers to detect. Through this advanced capability, potential accidents can be averted as the vehicles predict the future behavior of static or dynamic objects. Moreover, AI enables accurate road condition predictions, anticipating changes such as pedestrians entering the road and proactively activating the braking system to potentially prevent accidents.
ACT - Developing Algorithms for Sensors
An autonomous vehicle must possess the capability to execute tasks that present challenges even to experienced human drivers. This necessitates the seamless integration of multiple sophisticated systems, including cameras, sensors, deep learning algorithms, and actuators. These interconnected components collaborate to make informed decisions and precisely control the vehicle's movements. The utmost importance lies in ensuring that these systems exhibit impeccable accuracy, reliability, and efficiency, thereby ensuring the safe and effective operation of autonomous driving. At MEAtec, we have consistently refined our algorithm development processes for environment detection sensors through numerous internal and customer projects within the automotive industry. Our expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks has been a pivotal aspect of these initiatives.
In automated driving systems, the execution of calculated driving strategies, or "Act," heavily relies on the powertrain, steering, and braking mechanisms. Acting as the nerve center, electronic systems facilitate the transmission of signals and control commands to the various components. Leveraging information from diverse sensors and comprehensive mapping data, AI systems in vehicles enable real-time decision-making, empowering them to swiftly respond to evolving road conditions and potential hazards, such as obstacles or other road users. The ability to adapt to dynamic environments is paramount in guaranteeing the safety of passengers, fellow road users, and pedestrians.
The Autonomous Driving Control Unit stands as an intelligent computing platform that plays a pivotal role in enabling autonomous vehicles. It efficiently manages and integrates data from an array of sensors, allowing for real-time decision-making and precise control of the vehicle's actions. By consolidating control and data processing strategies for the vehicle's sensors into a single unit, it seamlessly channels all sensor information to the control mechanism. Leveraging the power of AI, an automated vehicle learns the behavioral patterns of objects and effectively anticipates critical situations with the aid of both interior and exterior sensors. For instance, it can proactively engage the braking system when a pedestrian is about to traverse the road ahead, mitigating potential risks.
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