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Written by Paul Weissler
An important nextstep toward the self-driving car was taken at the 2016 North AmericanInternational Auto Show with the introduction of the all-new 2017 Volvo S90 aproduction car with a semi-autonomous driving system as standard equipment. Built on Volvo"s scalable product architecture (SPA), it combines the latest version of the company"s Pilot Assist with the XC90"slow-speed driver assistance with auto braking system. Capable of operating at up to 80 mph (130 kph), the new system is claimed to detect large animals such as deer and horses and has full day-or-night functionality. It can provide steering inputs to keep the car in lane, and unlike the XC90, can hold thecourse and lane even without a vehicle ahead to track. The S90"s software goes wellbeyond that of the XC90, which operates only up to 30 mph ( 50kph), but the key hardware pieces are carried over. They are multiple radar and camera arrays,including an optional 360 camera system for driving and parking in tightquarters, and auto parking. However, the Pilot Assistoperation is based on a forward-looking laser radar from Mahle/Delphi and thenewest Mobileye camera. Both have a140 angle of view, explained Thomas Mueller, Vice President of Electrical and Electronics Systems at Volvo R&D. Evolution of image detection Image detectionis key, of course, and Volvo introduced pedestrian identification in 2010,followed by operation in darkness in 2012. Volvo"s new software, developed with Mobileye but validated by Volvo inroad testing, with threshold values set by Volvo, has evolved over the lastseveral years. The "nightvision" learned in 2010 was followed by nighttime pedestrian detection,then by identification of bicyclists. And there is work ongoing beyond even the large animal detection, toidentify sudden appearance of fixed objects in the road that could pose ahazard, such as a stack of bricks or a sofa, Mueller said. The software usesthe inputs of the standard array of sensors and cameras, plus apremium-accuracy GPS, to create a highdefinition 3D digital map of the area surrounding the car, with somemeasurements claimed by Volvo to be accurate to the millimeter level. In addition,Volvo employs a new, continuous road traction identification algorithm for theS90. This enables the control system to adjust for the road surface itself, plus the performanceof the brakes and tires, Mueller said. Because thehardware is carried over from the XC90, the S90 Pilot Assist is backwards-compatible to that model, and Volvo soon will make a reflash available and upgrade the production system on that vehicle. There are tweaks that are necessary for the XC90, Muller noted,specifically pointing to the difference in windshield rake affecting theheads-up-display. Volvo"sconfidence in the high-speed system was reflected in this statement, "Wewill take responsibility for any accidents in autonomous mode." Leaf spring rear suspension The SPA has afixed front wheel center-to-firewall dimension and from that point the chassiscan be set to a desired width and length. The S90 is very close in size to the XC90, with a wheelbase of 115.8-in(2941 mm), an overall length of 195.7-in (4963 mm). Curb weight is 1800-2150 kg (3968-4740-lb),with the weight increasing in part according to powertrain. Volvo"s U.S. powertrain lineup isgasoline-only, and with a 2.0-L four. The S90"s base engine is turbocharged and rated at 240 hp (179 kW). A twin-charged (turbo and supercharger) version israted at 320 hp (239 kW). Ahigh-performance plug-in hybrid, with a range of about 30 mi (50 km) is ratedat 400 hp (298 kW). All use an Aisin-sourced AWF8F35 8-speed automatic transaxle. Like the XC90,the new S90 sedan has a rear leaf spring suspension. While this may sound verySUV-like, it"s a convex fiberglassspring mounted transversely, similar to the configuration long used on the Chevrolet Corvette. Front suspension is double wishbonewith coil springs. Volvo does offer anoptional four-corner air suspension for both models, and the one for the S90 istuned specifically, so it"s likely to provide a smoother ride. The S90 will bemarketed opposite such European sport sedans as the BMW 5-Series. It features "Thor"s Hammer"T-shaped headlights and a concave grille reminiscent of the Volvo P1800 sports coupeproduced in 1961-73.
Date written: 20-Jan-2016 10:16 EST
More of this article on the SAE International Website
ID: 1804
An important nextstep toward the self-driving car was taken at the 2016 North AmericanInternational Auto Show with the introduction of the all-new 2017 Volvo S90 aproduction car with a semi-autonomous driving system as standard equipment. Built on Volvo"s scalable product architecture (SPA), it combines the latest version of the company"s Pilot Assist with the XC90"slow-speed driver assistance with auto braking system. Capable of operating at up to 80 mph (130 kph), the new system is claimed to detect large animals such as deer and horses and has full day-or-night functionality. It can provide steering inputs to keep the car in lane, and unlike the XC90, can hold thecourse and lane even without a vehicle ahead to track. The S90"s software goes wellbeyond that of the XC90, which operates only up to 30 mph ( 50kph), but the key hardware pieces are carried over. They are multiple radar and camera arrays,including an optional 360 camera system for driving and parking in tightquarters, and auto parking. However, the Pilot Assistoperation is based on a forward-looking laser radar from Mahle/Delphi and thenewest Mobileye camera. Both have a140 angle of view, explained Thomas Mueller, Vice President of Electrical and Electronics Systems at Volvo R&D. Evolution of image detection Image detectionis key, of course, and Volvo introduced pedestrian identification in 2010,followed by operation in darkness in 2012. Volvo"s new software, developed with Mobileye but validated by Volvo inroad testing, with threshold values set by Volvo, has evolved over the lastseveral years. The "nightvision" learned in 2010 was followed by nighttime pedestrian detection,then by identification of bicyclists. And there is work ongoing beyond even the large animal detection, toidentify sudden appearance of fixed objects in the road that could pose ahazard, such as a stack of bricks or a sofa, Mueller said. The software usesthe inputs of the standard array of sensors and cameras, plus apremium-accuracy GPS, to create a highdefinition 3D digital map of the area surrounding the car, with somemeasurements claimed by Volvo to be accurate to the millimeter level. In addition,Volvo employs a new, continuous road traction identification algorithm for theS90. This enables the control system to adjust for the road surface itself, plus the performanceof the brakes and tires, Mueller said. Because thehardware is carried over from the XC90, the S90 Pilot Assist is backwards-compatible to that model, and Volvo soon will make a reflash available and upgrade the production system on that vehicle. There are tweaks that are necessary for the XC90, Muller noted,specifically pointing to the difference in windshield rake affecting theheads-up-display. Volvo"sconfidence in the high-speed system was reflected in this statement, "Wewill take responsibility for any accidents in autonomous mode." Leaf spring rear suspension The SPA has afixed front wheel center-to-firewall dimension and from that point the chassiscan be set to a desired width and length. The S90 is very close in size to the XC90, with a wheelbase of 115.8-in(2941 mm), an overall length of 195.7-in (4963 mm). Curb weight is 1800-2150 kg (3968-4740-lb),with the weight increasing in part according to powertrain. Volvo"s U.S. powertrain lineup isgasoline-only, and with a 2.0-L four. The S90"s base engine is turbocharged and rated at 240 hp (179 kW). A twin-charged (turbo and supercharger) version israted at 320 hp (239 kW). Ahigh-performance plug-in hybrid, with a range of about 30 mi (50 km) is ratedat 400 hp (298 kW). All use an Aisin-sourced AWF8F35 8-speed automatic transaxle. Like the XC90,the new S90 sedan has a rear leaf spring suspension. While this may sound verySUV-like, it"s a convex fiberglassspring mounted transversely, similar to the configuration long used on the Chevrolet Corvette. Front suspension is double wishbonewith coil springs. Volvo does offer anoptional four-corner air suspension for both models, and the one for the S90 istuned specifically, so it"s likely to provide a smoother ride. The S90 will bemarketed opposite such European sport sedans as the BMW 5-Series. It features "Thor"s Hammer"T-shaped headlights and a concave grille reminiscent of the Volvo P1800 sports coupeproduced in 1961-73.
Date written: 20-Jan-2016 10:16 EST
More of this article on the SAE International Website
ID: 1804
