A 30-month Autonomous Vehicle project led by Nissan’s European Technical Centre will soon complete its primary aim – achieving the UK’s most complex journey with autonomous drive. Before the end of 2019 the HumanDrive vehicle will self-navigate a 230-mile journey over country roads, high speed roundabouts, A-Roads and motorways, all through live traffic.

In addition, the HumanDrive project will seek to take autonomous technology to the next level in terms of ride comfort and adaptability by adopting natural road positioning and a more human-like driving style.

To achieve this grand aim, the project has drawn upon the expertise of a world-leading consortium:

• Nissan Technical Centre Europe (lead partner) is leading on the development and testing of the next generation autonomous vehicle that will soon complete the Grand Drive
• Hitachi is developing an advanced machine-learning Artificial Intelligence to control the vehicles perception and decision making
• University of Leeds is responsible for defining the user requirements and developing a driver risk model using trials data captured from their simulator and live trials
• Cranfield University is validating the technology through a digital model, and has supported the trials, demonstration and experimental validation, utilising its advanced Multi-User Environment for Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (MUEAVI) test track
• Atkins Ltd is ensuring that all cyber security precautions have been considered, including the publication of the Cyber Security Framework that provides assurance to the public that the security risks associated with CAV technology are being appropriately managed
• Highways England is exploring the impact of CAVs on the transport system
• Aimsun Ltd is supporting Highways England in the study of the impact on the transport system
• HORIBA MIRA is providing test facilities and helping to ensure the safety of other road users, as well as passengers and safety driver
• SBD Automotive is supporting the cyber security aspects of the project
• Connected Places Catapult is responsible for project management, dissemination and safety case elements of the project.

Robert Bateman, HumanDrive Project Manager for Nissan Technical Centre Europe, said: “We are getting close to delivering on our main aim – a 230-mile Grand Drive across the UK, through live traffic and some very challenging road networks. Our consortium partners have given a tremendous push to get us to this point, and we’ve made some significant learnings along the way as we develop this human-like autonomous driving style.”

Rav Babbra, Innovation Lead, Automotive Team, Innovate UK, said: “The UK is at the forefront of automotive innovation. The HumanDrive project is a fantastic example of the dynamic collaboration of businesses and universities supported by the Intelligent Mobility fund.”

Next year the HumanDrive consortium intends to demonstrate the technology to celebrate the people, ideas, resources and technology that have helped make this project a reality. For more information and to stay up to date, follow @HumanDriveCAV or contact humandrive@ts.catapult.org.uk