CODRIVE, the technological solution developed by Vicomtech for autonomous driving

The Challenge

Vicomtech participates in the Vigo Living Lab, one of the four Living Labs of the IN2CCAM project. In this project, the main responsibility of the center involves deploying the CODRIVE solution by providing a CCAV (Connected Cooperative and Automated Vehicle), capable of operating autonomously in Vigo's Gran Vía, while sending, receiving and processing vehicular messages in real time.    

Performing this type of demonstration in urban environments represents a significant technological and logistical challenge. Accurate vehicle localization is a critical requirement in autonomous driving tests, but achieving the necessary level of accuracy in an urban environment is particularly complex. This is compounded by the nature of mixed driving, where autonomous and conventional vehicles coexist. It is important to note that, during the tests, one of the lanes of the Gran Vía de Vigo was closed to general traffic, allowing a controlled environment for the development of the demonstrations.

The Proposed Solution

CODRIVE is a technology solution that enables autonomous vehicles to connect, receive and send messages from the traffic infrastructure and other vehicles, as well as to understand, make decisions and act in real time.          

These technologies enable the implementation of SAE Level 2+ autonomous driving functions under the supervision of a driver, as well as SAE Levels 3 and 4 driving functions, integrating fallback solutions that ensure a safe response in critical situations. 

Since the use case integrates multiple sources of real-time information, it is challenging to properly interpret what is happening in the vehicle without prior knowledge. 

The demonstration of this CODRIVE technology solution was carried out at the Living Lab in Vigo, within the framework of the European IN2CCAM project. 

In addition to the default sensors integrated in CarLOTA (the CCAV) such as LiDAR, five cameras and DGPS, the vehicles were equipped with an OBU (On Board Unit) developed by NeoGLS, a partner of the project. This device allows sending and receiving standardized vehicular messages providing advanced communication in urban environments.

These first autonomous driving tests in “mixed” traffic by Vicomtech involved:

• The development of an HMI (Human Machine Interface), an intuitive graphical interface that provides real-time information, designed so that any user, even without previous experience, can understand what is happening inside the vehicle. 
• In-vehicle integration of V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) communication technologies through standardized vehicle messages.
• Implementation of the GLOSA (Green Light Optimal Speed Advice) service in the vehicle. A functionality based on the vehicle's position and traffic light information obtained from SPATEM messages, which allows the vehicle to calculate whether it should brake or whether it can safely continue moving towards the next intersection with traffic lights.     

The Result

During the two weeks of testing, a constant data capture was performed, accumulating hundreds of laps of the established route. This data is necessary for the use cases defined in the project and will be used in subsequent evaluation and analysis tasks.     

The HMI displayed in a differentiated way both the information generated by the vehicle's local sensors and the data received through vehicular communications. This allowed a clear and understandable visualization of the operations performed in real time.     

The Vigo Living Lab marked a milestone by being the scene of the first autonomous driving tests in mixed traffic carried out by Vicomtech. After a brief explanation, both expert users and those with no previous experience in connected and autonomous vehicles were able to understand and visualize in real time the data exchanged in the different use cases.     

CODRIVE, the technological solution developed by VIcomtech, is the forerunner of a future in which autonomous vehicles connected to intelligent traffic systems will create more sustainable cities and transform the way we live and move.