Ford successfully demonstrates self-driving car in snow (video)

Posted on Tuesday, January 12 2016 @ 15:46 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Usually, when you hear about self-driving car technology the news focuses on Google or Tesla but many conventional car makers are working on similar technology.

Ford for example just uploaded a YouTube clip that illustrates the progress its making with autonomous vehicles. In the clip below, you can see how well Ford's self-driving car handles snow.

Poor weather conditions are one of major roadblocks faced by self-driving car technology because poor visibility caused by snow and heavy rain prevent the car's sensors from picking up vital details like road markings or traffic signs, so it's quite impressive to see how well the Ford car navigates in snow.

Ford achieves this using the car's LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors to scan for above-ground landmarks like buildings or traffic signs. This data is then compared with existing high-resolution maps of the car's surroundings, to create an updated model that allows the car to nagivate the road even when visibility is less than optimal.
Ford’s autonomous vehicle tests in snow-covered environments are not only a groundbreaking achievement, but the latest example of the company’s commitment to bringing fully autonomous vehicles to millions of customers worldwide.

Ford’s winter weather testing takes place in Michigan, including at Mcity – a 32-acre, full-scale simulated real-world urban environment at the University of Michigan.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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