Daimler researchers shortlisted for top prize in recognition of its work on collision avoidance systems
August 29, 2011
A group of engineers from Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso Trucks, are on the shortlist for the Deutscher Zukunftspreis, or German Future Prize, recognising their research into automated spatial vision.
The prize is considered Germany’s highest for scientific and technical innovation, with the Daimler team selected for their work on automated collision avoidance systems.
Professor Dr Thomas Weber says the Daimler team is researching what it calls 6D vision, which replicates human 3D vision, to improve hazard recognition technology.
“The 6D-Vision project represents a milestone along the road to accident-free driving and will form the basis of our future safety systems,” Weber says.
6D-Vision uses a stereo camera, acting the same way as two human eyes, to compute the three-dimensional geometry of the situation in front of the vehicle in real time from the images it sees.
It uses special algorithms developed by Daimler so that analysis of consecutive pairs of images allows instant and reliable identification of any movement.
Dr Uwe Franke, leader of the research team, says 6D-Vision allows Daimler to “support the driver in precisely the sort of situation where the complexity of traffic conditions increases the potential for an accident, for example at junctions or in roadworks”.
Franke says in the case of a child running across a street the images are recognised within 200 milliseconds across a broad range of vision.
“Even the most alert person takes twice as long to do so, and should he or she be distracted, a further 500 milliseconds may be added to this time. An additional moment of shock adds further delay while the situation is assessed and until a reaction kicks in,” Franke says.
With a vehicle travelling 15 metres per second at 50km/h, this time saving can reduce braking distance by a full vehicle length compared to a human driver’s reaction time.
Professor Weber says Daimler views 6D-Vision as “being able to contribute significantly to reductions in road traffic accidents”.
“6D-Vision will take its place in the long line of safety innovations that have celebrated their premiere in our company over the last 125 years. Ultimately, however, it will benefit all motorists,” he says.