BMW announced their ConnectedDrive Connect (CDC) semi-autonomous driving system, and has just released a new video of it in action. It uses four types of sensors, radar, cameras, laser scanners and ultrasound distance sensors, to stay aware of the car’s surroundings. Check out the video.
“However, when the car senses it is behind a slowpoke, it looks for an open lane where it can safely merge at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph). If an opening is found, the system will steer the vehicle into that lane, pass the slower vehicle and return to its original lane.
As Dr. Nico Kaempchen explains, “Our main challenge was to develop algorithms that can handle entirely new situations. In principal, the system works on all freeways that we have mapped out beforehand with [a] centimeter accuracy.” He goes on to say CDC ensures the car “adheres to all traffic laws” and sticks to the speed limit.”