Navtech Radar has been awarded a grant from Innovate UK to help the team carry out exciting research in the area of autonomous vehicles. In collaboration with the Oxford Robotics Institute (University of Oxford), the team will develop a sensor for autonomous vehicles that will provide 360-degree high resolution coverage in all weather conditions. This will significantly improve the capabilities and safety of the machines in difficult driving conditions, when safe and reliable transportation is most critical.
Situational awareness for driverless cars
With the majority of driverless cars operating in California – a state known for its perpetual blue skies – the need for accurate situational awareness in adverse weather conditions has been largely overlooked. The current sensors used cannot accurately function in heavy rain, snow or fog. Therefore, this research will be pivotal in ensuring autonomous vehicles can perform in all environments and appeal to an international market.
Philip Avery, Managing Director at Navtech Radar, described research and development as “a fundamental part of Navtech Radar's DNA”. Investments such as this grant are invaluable in fostering innovation and the creation of new products that meet customer requirements in the most effective, cost efficient way possible.