ZMP is developing a car robotics platform, combining robots and cars.
It's thought that next-generation vehicles with intelligent capabilities will have various technologies in common with self-propelled robots. Robocar is a 1/10-scale platform constructed for research in this new field of car robotics.
"This system enables the same sort of tests as an actual car, but on a smaller scale."
"Robocar has a variety of sensors. For example, it has a CCD camera that can do stereo distance calculations, and a laser rangefinder can be easily attached. It also has an encoder sensor, as well as gyro sensors and acceleration sensors."
Robocar can be used for research on self-propulsion algorithms for cars, hazard avoidance technologies, and automatic parking. It can also be used to research group control, where cars communicate via a wireless network and track the vehicle in front of them.
"Robocar's main feature is that, with this body size, it can do stereo image processing at 30 fps. For testing self-propulsion, it's necessary to create a system where all components are connected inside. So Robocar has a system that doesn't rely on an external PC, which makes development easy."
ZMP is also developing a test platform for applying Robocar's programs and algorithms to actual cars.
"At present, Robocar doesn't yet have an automatic driving system. But in the near future, we want to install such a system. We want to enable Robocar to analyze sensor data by computer and move automatically, and do experiments."
The 1/10-scale Robocar can be introduced for less than one million yen. Currently, it's mainly being supplied to university research groups, automakers, and electrical manufacturers.
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