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Features of ASI’s SWARMING system include vehicle capability characterization, engage host vehicle autopilot, vehicle-to-vehicle smart stopping and swarming path builder. | Source: ASI Automotive

Autonomous Solutions Inc’s ASI Automotive has developed an autonomous system, called SWARMING, that can choreograph testing of advanced driver assist technologies (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle (AV) systems. 

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) typically use simulations to test, validate and verify ADAS and AV systems. However, these simulations can sometimes fall short. Oftentimes, this leaves OEMs with an unaddressed gap in ensuring the safety of these systems before they roll out onto the road. 

“We realize that testing high-speed collision anticipation and avoidance is simply too dangerous for human drivers, yet the need for this is now,” Jaren Devey, automotive development manager at ASI, said. “Our solution is to use robot drivers during these dangerous testing phases so that OEMs can test their vehicles to the extreme limits of their engineering while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.”

SWARMING uses vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-service communications with advanced control algorithms to ensure the vehicles are posed to predefined positions and velocities at given times. Doing these exercises tests the responses of the ADAS and AV systems required for driving. 

The software allows users to export paths from simulation and import them into ASI’s command and control software, Mobius, which choreographs the scenarios with robotic drivers in actual vehicles. SWARMING’s features include vehicle capability characterization, engage host vehicle autopilot, vehicle-to-vehicle smart stopping and the Swarming path builder. 

Mobius can release control to the ADAS or AV system when triggered but still monitors safety. Mobius is ready to take control at any moment if conditions aren’t normal. 

Using robots as test drivers ensures tests are done without putting people at risk. It also results in more precise results, gives OEMs the ability to know the exact moment something went wrong and produces conclusive results every time. 

SWARMING can test up to 20 real vehicles at once and can run tests anywhere from 25-75 mph. Coordinating multiple vehicles only takes the click of a button. 

Editor’s Note: Mel Torrie, the founder and CEO of ASI, will be keynoting our Field Robotics Engineering Forum in Santa Clara, CA on October 19-20, 2022. Torrie will discuss ASI’s journey in field robotics.