‘Control’ – active electronic and mechanical systems
allowing the vehicle to carry out the decisions taken by the autonomous technology
in any given situation
Many of Kia’s new ADAS technologies require simultaneous input from more than one sensor, and much of Kia’s
investment into research and
development is allowing the car manufacturer to secure localized
knowledge and establish a production-base
for the high precision sensors required to realize autonomous driving
technologies.
Introduction of
partially-autonomous driving technologies by 2020
Kia is planning to introduce a range of
partially-autonomous ADAS technologies in the coming years, with an array of
new functions anticipated for introduction to market by 2020.
Among the new technologies currently under development
is Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which combines a Lane Guidance System (LGS)
and Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC). HDA is designed to automatically
maintain a safe distance from cars in front while keeping the car in its lane
on the highway and adhering to local speed limits using information from the navigation system. The
system will also assist in safely overtaking other cars on the highway.
Traffic Jam
Assist (TJA), currently under development by Kia, will help make light work of
heavy congestion by tracking the vehicle in front during moderate-to-highly congested traffic
conditions. The system employs a range of sensors to maintain a safe distance
from the car in front and keep the vehicle within its lane. Using TJA, drivers
will find it easier – and more relaxing – to navigate traffic jams on often-congested
roads.
To make Kia vehicles among the easiest cars to park,
the company is developing further technologies to enable cars to complete
low-speed manoeuvres more easily. Enhancing Kia’s existing Smart Parking Assist
System (SPAS), which enables the car to park itself in parallel or
perpendicular spaces with minimal driver input, Kia will also introduce Remote
Advanced Parking Assist System (RAPAS), allowing Kia
vehicles to park themselves when the driver presses the
smart key button while within a certain range of the car.
At all times, the
new range of ADAS technologies can be circumvented by direct driver control,
enabling closer control of the car as desired.
These new technologies will join the suite of
technologies already offered by Kia on its latest production vehicles in many
of its global markets, including the Sorento and the soon-to-be-launched all-new Optima and Sportage. These technologies are
primarily designed to make driving safer and easier for Kia customers by
identifying hazards at the earliest possible opportunity and allowing the
driver – or the car – to take the appropriate reaction. Existing Kia
technologies include Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Keeping Assist
System (LKAS), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) and Advanced
Smart Cruise Control (ASCC).
Kia plans to bring fully-autonomous
cars to market within 15 years
Over the longer-term, Kia is targeting 2030 for the introduction of fully-autonomous vehicles. As a key
part of Kia’s development of fully-autonomous driving technologies – the true
‘self-driving car’ – Kia is focusing R&D resources on vehicle-to-vehicle
(V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X)
communication.
By enabling cars to effectively communicate directly
and independently with their surroundings, Kia will be able to make ADAS-equipped
vehicles as safe and efficient as possible.