Validas AG joins new research project CONTROL
More Safety for Autonomous Driving on Road and Rail in Complex Environments
How can autonomous cars, trucks, buses, and trains drive safely and reliably when traffic conditions constantly change due to unexpected obstacles or shifting weather? This question is at the heart of the research project CONTROL, launched in October. CONTROL stands for Controlling Risk of Highly Automated Transportation Systems Operating in Complex Open Environments.
The pre-competitive research project, led by Siemens AG and Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH, brings together 24 partners from industry and academia – including OEMs, suppliers for road and rail, universities, and research institutions. Supported by the VDA initiative for autonomous and connected driving, the consortium project is scheduled for 36 months and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
Autonomous driving is considered a key technology for the mobility of the future. It promises greater comfort, higher fleet efficiency, fewer emissions, more sustainable resource use, and above all, new mobility solutions – such as autonomous people movers and driverless trains and trucks.
Automated systems currently in use only function under clearly defined environmental conditions. What’s missing is the ability to operate safely in an open, highly dynamic world with changing external factors. CONTROL addresses rare scenarios known as “long-tail events” – including unexpected obstacles on roads and tracks, limited visibility, and varying weather and lighting conditions. These rare events have a major impact and are critical for autonomous driving.
Over the next three years, CONTROL will develop innovative methods to safeguard autonomous vehicles as part of a dynamic road and rail ecosystem. Central to this effort is creating a cross-domain safety argumentation that systematically captures, assesses, and controls operational uncertainties and integrates them into the architecture of autonomous systems. The system can then initiate precautionary measures – such as adjusting speed or controlled evasive maneuvers. This approach is complemented by new quality metrics, adaptive sensor fusion, and simulation-based validation. Practical feasibility will be tested in prototypes provided by project partners during the course of the project.
With its research focus, the project strengthens the competitiveness of German industry in the field of autonomous mobility. It lays an important foundation for new products and standards – from road to rail and beyond, including industrial automation and robotics.
More information at: www.control-projekt.de
