The CLASS project will allow cars to “see” the road situation around the corner to make a safe maneuver.
The streets of the iconic Italian city of Modena have become a testing ground for new disaster prevention technology. It allows cars to “see” behind the building or other vehicles to avoid the potential danger of an accident. The CLASS project is based on the IBM Research team, but working closely with the Model and Reggio Emilia University (UNIMORE), the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Atos, Maserati and Modena City Hall.
As part of the project, IBM is developing an experimental prototype of a system that combines peripheral computing technology with cloud infrastructure, connecting municipal devices and vehicles as sources of real-time cross-reconciliation information. Sensors are installed on the streets, which are connected to the city data center via optical network. This center serves as a “cloud”.
They then equipped the Maserati Quattroporte and Levante with multiple sensors, including HD cameras, lidars and GPS, connected to the city’s infrastructure via a special segment of the LTE network. Nvidia Jetson graphics cards and laptops for the Advanced Driver Assistance System are installed in the cars.
During the tests, Maserati cars drove on the streets of the Model, sending data to the city center. Potential hazard warnings were displayed on the notebook screen used as a model for the ADAS system. The notices warn the driver in good time of a possible risk of collision and obstacles, so that the driver has enough time to react. The key to the efficient operation of the system is the real-time integration of data from cameras and sensors installed in passing cars with the car and the cloud.
All this is in the testing phase, but this project is part of the overall autonomous control technology, which will be the next big revolution in the car.
