"KAMAZ" with unmanned control system: everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

The future is getting closer to us. Roads US and the UK appear first robotic vehicles. Many automakers are working on their own projects auto-drones, this also applies to passenger cars and trucks. In the second case projects is much less than in the first: at the moment it is known that his truck-drone develops Mercedec-Benz and «KAMAZ", together with Cognitive Technologies .

Cognitive Technologies in the project acts as a developer of autonomous driving system, and "KAMAZ" will finalize the truck for such a system. I asked a few questions about the planned system and the project developers of Cognitive Technologies, and received answers that I hasten to publish.

How do you use the hardware (lidar, or recognition of video cameras, or both, something else?) B>

Used recognition with cameras. In addition, also used to analyze the radar near obstacles, inertial sensors, GPS / GLONASS. Lidar will be used to construct maps of the area, not for production cars.

were useful if the work on this project, your previous experience in the field of AI, and if so, which ones and how (algorithms? Employees with experience?) B>

Of course, the use developments in the field of image analysis and machine learning. Our experts since the early 90's engaged in the analysis of two-dimensional images. Since the early 2000s, we have been actively engaged in the analysis of road scenes.
In addition, many members of the team working to develop fast algorithms. In this area, we consider ourselves as professionals. Project participants KAMAZ among the coaches for sports programming team MISA - repeated finalists of the world championships.

How many people work in a team? B>

On the creation of the core staff of 25 people. Total number of teams is 50 people.

Do you rely on any library or opensursnye ferymvorki or write everything from scratch? B>

Yes I Am. We use opensursnye libraries, such as OpenCV, because we believe that it makes no sense to encode double-known algorithms.

did it all yourself or have partners with experience of similar developments? B>

Key developments we are alone. But on related issues, of course, involved partners, such as the decision of hardware, engineering design problems, and problems with the use of non-optical sensor types, such as microwave radar (NITU MISA).

What do you think about v2v and i2v, are going to somehow use? B>

v2v certainly be used in tasks such as movement in the colonies. As for i2v, it is absolutely not possible.
We are in our developments is mainly focused on the processing of video data, the so-called passive methods of computer vision, which is important in cases where there is no possibility of communication in adverse weather conditions, etc. But this does not prevent us, in addition to the basic model to use other methods, such as map information, rfid-tags, etc.

Do not interested in whether your development railroad and subway? The idea is to make an unmanned train easier - rails smoother and less traffic. In some subway trains already have drones. B>

No, not interested. But our technology can effectively solve the problems of this class. Moreover, since we are able to detect pedestrians in traffic within the scene, we will not be difficult to translate this problem in particular the problem of the safe entrance of the train to the platform.

Are there any specific basting in terms of legislation? Agreement with the regional or central government? B>

We are actively studying the state of legislation in the field of unmanned vehicles and develop the necessary legislative changes to subsequently bring them to the governments or legislatures. We are studying foreign experience. Our proposal to amend the legislation to ensure the possibility of movement of trucks on KAMAZ chassis on the roads of the Russian Federation was supported at the end of last year, Dmitry Medvedev, on which was issued relevant instructions to the Ministry of Industry of Russia. Also, to achieve the best results in this area has been established an interdepartmental working group in conjunction with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. The first results of its work is expected to be available in May this year.

Do not planning to build a Russian site for testing drones like such or such ?

There are currently preparing a proposal for the creation of a testing ground for unmanned vehicles based on KAMAZ chassis in the republic of Tatarstan, which will be located in the vicinity of the enterprise KAMAZ. He already has a name - "Valley of the robots." It is assumed that its infrastructure will be organized on the principle of maximum comfort for the technicians. The project is supported by the head of the republic R.Minnihanovym.
While landfill in Tatarstan not earned, testing of unmanned vehicles produced at the site of Emergency Situations, in agreement with the management of the agency.

How to calculate what year is allowed everywhere drones on public roads? B>

In the experience of the implementation of strategic projects supported by the government, the decision circuit organizational tasks carried out fairly quickly. Another thing is that the developers of the project faced many problems that require detailed study. It should say that fully all organizational and legal problems associated with the movement of unmanned vehicles are not yet worked in any country of the world. This insurance issues, and the preparation of national standards, etc.
We believe that the preparation of the major changes in the legislation to be completed by 2019, and in 2020 an unmanned KAMAZ be able to go on the road of the Russian Federation.

In what year of the cars disappear completely familiar manual controls? B>

A person necessarily must remain able to intervene in the management process. This is necessary, for example, in emergency situations, extreme driving conditions, and so on. D. This opinion is one among the main developers of unmanned vehicles. Moreover, according to experts, only 40% of drivers are ready to completely abandon the manual control. Therefore, the manual controls will remain for the foreseeable future. Although it is for the tasks unmanned cargo transport, this problem seems to be more attractive than for cars.

In what year ban on manual machines (robotomobili allowed)? B>

Today the issue of banning it is not necessary

What are the competitive projects, except the robot truck from Mercedes-Benz? B>

All major automakers have announced the creation of unmanned versions of 20-th year. This global trend. Undoubtedly, the possibility of unmanned traffic will be a competitive advantage.

When is expected to yield the commercial version of KAMAZ with automatic control system? B>

We expect that this will take place in 2020.

Do calculations on the economic benefits of such companies as KAMAZ, from the introduction of the automatic control car? B>

They do exist, but are intended for official use. (Open them only with the permission of KAMAZ and it may take some time.)
But the example of the effectiveness of how the task of creating an unmanned vehicle on KAMAZ chassis can cause. If we consider the situation of movement conventional truck with a driver and cargo from point A on the territory of Russia to point B, it is obvious that the tariff rate for the insurance of the driver, vehicle and cargo will be appropriate and will take into account the human factor for a variety of parameters, including mining traffic rules, etc.
In the case of an unmanned vehicle, given that in the cabin will be an independent observer who is able to take on the management of critical situations, obviously, we will have more control over the traffic situation, in fact, with zero probability of violation of traffic rules. It is obvious that the tariff rate on all insurance options will be different.
You can also say that the creation of opportunities for unmanned movement will be a competitive advantage for KAMAZ, will improve its margins. KAMAZ plans to strengthen its position in the international market.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/247504/