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Very good point indeed. As is the one made by S2020. This all points to SEE Fleet being on the right tracks. My initial assessment of this contract being relatively small was myopic. Seeing the wider picture is always the best approach

Generally, there are three categories of distractions that are being dealt with via artificial intelligence:

Visual distractions that make you take your eyes off the road.
Manual distractions that take your hands off the steering wheel.
Cognitive distractions that prevent you from being focused on driving, perhaps because of drowsiness.
Software algorithms can address these issues using image processing and input coming from sensors that synthesize in real time selected information from the driver and interior of the vehicle. Engineers are developing these algorithms to accurately predict all possible human behavior, even though it is sometimes unpredictable and irrational.

These algorithms are critical because they serve two main purposes: to provide output to the driver, in the form of alerts or other information; and to specify the way the system should react to control the vehicle (brake, steer or other safety-related navigation commands).

Using AI and visual AI (cameras inside a sensor, for example), it is possible to ascertain quickly what’s going on inside the cabin and to continually build use cases so we can understand when something may interfere with the driving process and create new ways to alert for that.

The development of new warning systems is important because drivers can become too conditioned to certain alerts and, ultimately, will stop paying attention.

So, to keep alerts from becoming “white noise,” there is work taking place on a combination of alerts, like changing the background of the color of the dashboard in the car, changing the radio volume, or turning off the radio so an alert can come through the audio system’s speakers.

The combination of artificial intelligence and alerting will eventually provide a robust solution that will monitor and prevent most of the distractions if someone is in the car. These solutions are going to become more common and more comprehensive and ultimately could result in vehicles that will be defined and sold as “distraction cognizant” or some other descriptive moniker.

cont.......

The National Safety Council says at least nine people in the U.S. die and another 100 are injured every day in crashes caused by distracted driving.

In-vehicle technologies such as dashboard touchscreens have contributed to this enormous safety threat. But consumers are fond of these technologies and they aren’t going away.

However, there is a pantheon of other distractions that occur behind the wheel that vary greatly in form and severity. The mostly illegal use of cell phones or texting while driving tops the list. But there are so many other possibilities, such as “rubbernecking” at incidents outside the vehicle, interacting inside with children or pets, fiddling with the radio, eating while driving, etc. Unfortunately, distracted driving is a two-way street. Perfectly attentive drivers can be injured due to the distractions affecting the driver coming the other way. This is why distracted driving is quickly catching up to DUIs in terms of economic impact. It now costs society $40 million for distracted driving compared with $44 million for DUIs.

As young drivers, we were taught distracted driving is dangerous. As adults, we get bombarded with public service announcements and road signs about the dangers. Yet, most of us still do things we shouldn’t behind the wheel. A 2016 study found that nearly 50% of drivers admitted to, while driving, reading a text message, sending a text message, checking their phone for directions or using social media. Overall, nearly 60% of respondents admitted to using their cell phone at least once while driving.

Context is everything, of course, and with distracted driving, context often is malleable to fit the immediate personal needs of the driver. A large amount of cognitive dissonance is involved.

Because of the obvious safety and monetary implications, efforts to address distracted driving are being stepped up. More importantly, it is another element of human nature that can be addressed using artificial intelligence. Thanks to the mechanics of deep learning and constant improvements in computer vision technology and algorithms, there are better ways being tested to monitor and alert drivers when they slip up on safety while driving, either intentionally or unintentionally.

cont..

https://www.wheels.ca/news/gm-canada-paves-a-road-to-the-future-with-new-mclaughlin-advanced-technology-track/

GM Canada Paves Road to the Future with New McLaughlin Test Track

The 55-acre outdoor test track will enable CTC engineers to prove and develop advanced new vehicle systems.

When word was handed down last year from corner offices at the GM Renaissance Centre that the Oshawa assembly plant would have its product unallocated, there was plenty of speculation and dross about plans for the future. In May, company and union brass announced a vision for the site, one which included a $170 million investment to transition operations from assembly to stamping, sub-assembly, and the development of a test track for autonomous and electric vehicles. Today, the company gave details about the latter.

Its official name is *draws breath* the Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track *exhales*, meant to honour GM Canada founder, Colonel Sam McLaughlin.

Construction of the 55-acre outdoor track began this fall and the company says it will be fully-operational by spring 2020.

The 55-acre outdoor test track will enable CTC engineers to prove and develop advanced new vehicle systems, kit ranging from widely available lane-keeping tech to fully autonomous prototypes. Not mentioned in the marketing bumf but presumably included as part of GM’s ‘advanced new vehicle systems’ is the admittedly tremendous Super Cruise technology. Anything that’ll accelerate its roll-out across the Cadillac line, particularly to its fleet of crossovers and SUVs, will surely be welcome.

This new track will include two straight sections measuring 1200 feet long, just shy of a quarter-mile or 400m, that are joined by a banked curve on each end to allow continual safe driving at high speeds. Its proximity to the CTC sites will allow for increased testing efficiency and faster development of new technologies.

In addition to AV testing, teams from the company’s Product Development, Infotainment, Active Safety, and Trailering departments would also be potential users of this track surface. Reading between the lines, one could speculate that GM might be working on an answer to Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature available on its F-Series pickups and other heavy haulers.

The new facility is said to follow GM global operational processes and leverage GM expertise from the Milford Proving Grounds and Kapuskasing Cold Weather Development Centre. Kapuskasing is a lot more fun to say aloud than Oshawa, although the latter does have the advantage of possessing multiple Mary Brown’s chicken restaurants.

As a whole, the entire Oshawa Transformation Agreement – of which this McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track is a portion – will transform the plant and retain jobs. The track, by the way, will be built at the southern end of the current Oshawa facility

Evan Williams • October 23

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