MEL/JSK Announce Plans for Demo2000
IV Quarterly
October 1999

Demo2000, to be held late next year in Japan, is shaping up to be another  significant event in the evolution of intelligent vehicle applications and implementation.

Demo2000, to be held late next year in Japan, is shaping up to be another  significant event in the evolution of intelligent vehicle applications and implementation.

Plans call for demonstrations based on three major programs sponsored by the Japanese Government.  The Ministry of Construction (MOC) has the Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway Research Association (AHSRA), while the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) has supported the Advanced Safety Vehicle.  The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has sponsored research and development of automated driving based on control and communications technologies.

Dr. Sadayuki Tsugawa, Director of the Machine Intelligence Division within the MITI Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (MEL) announced that they will hold a demonstration of an automated driving system with inter-vehicle communications on a test track in December 2000.  MEL is a government research institute under  MITI which has a long history of research on ITS and, in particular, Advanced Vehicle Control and Safety Systems.  

MEL is presenting the demo jointly with JSK (Association of Electronic Technologies for Automobile Traffic and Driving), a foundation under MITI established for the research and promotion of ITS.  “The demonstration will hopefully be at the same time and place as the demonstrations by MOC (AHSRA) and MOT (ASV) for attendees’ convenience,” said Dr. Tsugawa.  “In my opinion, we look at a further future to the contrary that they look at a near future.”

MEL/JSK plans call for at least four automated passenger cars that can be laterally and longitudinally controlled to perform flexible platooning over two or three lanes, “like school of fish or migratory birds,” says Tsugawa.  This will include merging on lane changing and at an interchange, a stop-and-go maneuver under congestion, and safe stopping of a platoon under emergency braking conditions. The vehicles will drive automatically according to a preset scenario, and, as at Demo ’97, attendees will be passengers only -- not drivers.

The demo will take place at MEL’s test track in Tsukuba, Japan.  Techniques to be implemented will include vision-based lateral control, longitudinal control with laser radar, cooperative platooning in various formations, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and differential GPS.

[Top]

For More Information ...

For continuing updates, check www.jsk.or.jp.   Dr. Tsugawa of MEL can be contacted at tsugawa@mel.go.jp.

[Top]