Test the feasibility of Level 3 autonomous driving functions on public roads: this was the goal of “L3Pilot”, a four-year European research and innovation project that involved Stellantis and 34 other partners, including suppliers, research institutes, authorities road and other OEMs. Now the multinational is presenting the results and challenges faced in a dedicated final conference, which takes place in Hamburg, Germany, in conjunction with the ITS World Congress. “The participation of Stellantis in the L3Pilot project and the fundamental role it played in the pilot phase clearly demonstrate its commitment to the development of autonomous driving technologies”, explains in an official note Harald Wester, Chief Engineering Officer of Stellantis.
Through L3Pilot it was possible to acquire and validate automated driving data and perform in-depth tests of the SAE level 3 autonomy technological functions, the same with which “the driver does not need to constantly monitor the driving situation, but must regain control when the system requires it, ”explains the auto giant.
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“We believe that these international projects, conducted on a large scale and with the involvement of many partners, are extremely important to ensure customers that autonomous technologies are safe and reliable before market introduction; they are an integral part of our customer-centric end-to-end software strategy, ”said Yves Bonnefont, Stellantis Chief Software Officer.
The numbers of the project are important: 70 cars equipped with automated driving functions (including a fleet of sixteen Stellantis prototypes) in 14 pilot sites and seven countries. Around 750 professional drivers, experienced in SAE level 3 functions, both as drivers and passengers. Over 400,000 km traveled on motorways, half of which in automated mode and half traveled as a reference. Approximately 24,000 km traveled in urban scenarios, of which 22,200 km in automated mode and 1,800 km traveled as a reference. In addition, the technical aspects, driving behavior, user reception and the impact on traffic and safety were assessed.
“The pilot phase addressed a wide range of driving situations, including parking, motorway overtaking, crossing urban intersections and close-range scenarios,” explains Stellantis. Starting from the data obtained from L3Pilot, Stellantis will contribute to the development of autonomous technology by participating in the next project co-financed by the European Union: Hi-Drive. Over the next four years (2021-2025), the latter will address a number of key challenges for the widespread use of more advanced levels of automated driving.
