R3CAV: Research on technologies and architectures for the development of new autonomous, connected, robust, reliable and resilient vehicles

Description of the Project

The R3CAV project aims to research and develop new connected technologies, as well as to design and develop a new adaptive architecture, both hardware and software, of the future connected autonomous vehicle, capable of operating at different levels of autonomy, starting from advanced predictive driving assistance systems, to fully autonomous driverless systems.

Specifically, the project will address the following 3 challenges:

1. The development of a level L4 new prototype; highly automated vehicles capable of operating in controlled environments, able to manage complex interactions with the environment thanks to the help of an advanced infrastructure, which will be a redundant source of information for the vehicle.
2. The development of a new autonomous and connected electric vehicle platform for future application as an adaptable and modular shuttle for the transport of people in urban circuits, whose level of automation will progressively grow from L2 (advanced driving assistance systems) to L3 (with low supervision).
3. The development of 5G communications technology for connected vehicles such as advanced driver assistance systems. This challenge aims to inform and recommend the most appropriate actions to the driver, taking control of the vehicle if necessary.

Thus, R3CAV's work is developed along 6 main lines:

• Designing a multimodal architecture, capable of providing solutions at different levels of automation and taking advantage of the most advanced AI and connectivity techniques.
• Designing and implementing the on-board and off-board technologies necessary to guarantee the safety, robustness and reliability of the autonomous and connected vehicle.
• Provide the autonomous and connected vehicle with the intelligence that allows it to safely and efficiently manage interactions with all traffic agents.
• Create communication technologies with the vehicle thanks to advanced mobile networks based on 5G that allow the potential of these systems to be exploited.
• Create a new interoperable autonomous and connected mobility service, capable of carrying out fleet management that allows the integration of these intelligent vehicles into existing traffic, including multi-modal intelligent mobility systems.
• Create a threat detection and prevention system reinforced with AI and Machine Learning techniques to guarantee the security of the system.

Industrial Partner

Indra´s Rol

Indra is the leader of the connected infrastructure developments, where it is working to create a distributed system for detecting vehicles and obstacles, based on LiDAR technology and image detection. The aim is to synchronise the systems, enabling interoperability in a reliable and robust way.

In addition, using the information collected, a series of C-ITS services will be generated for communication between vehicles and infrastructure through the use of 5G technology, with the deployment of a Micro Edge Computing (MEC). This technology will be demonstrated in a real controlled environment pilot in Palencia.

Similarly, in the other pilot, located in Alcobendas, Indra will implement different services based on 5G technology and on-board technology in the buses. This technology will allow, among other functionalities, sharing the images from the on-board video cameras, in real time and with high quality, with the Operation Support System (OSS) and the bus control centre, so that operators can monitor and improve decision-making. Likewise, the content services offered to passengers will be improved and the bus management solutions implemented by Indra in Madrid will be optimised.

Universities and Technology Centers

Tecnologies Employed

Within the Project, the following technologies are addressed:

• 5G
• C-ITS Cooperative System (V2X)
• IoT
• Artificial Intelligence
• Edge Computing

Additional Information

This Project has received funding from the Sustainable Automotive Technology Program (PTAS) 2021 of the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) under the Ministry of Science and Innovation, with File No. PTAS-20211009 and an approved budget of €8,453,524.00.