3/29   
Advanced Collision Avoidance Field Test Launched in Michigan   |   In one of the largest government-sponsored field trials of its kind, General Motors,  Delphi, and others will enlist Michigan drivers to test vehicles equipped with both forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control systems.   IVsource reports on their recent kickoff event at Milford Proving Grounds near GM Headquarters, describing the project's objectives and the team’s approach to some of the key technical challenges.

3/28   
GM Reveals Roadmap for Intelligent Vehicle Development   |   At a recent press event to kick-off their Advanced Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS) field test, GM offered this view into the company’s future technology development plans.  

3/28   
GM Submits Patent Application for Forward Collision Threat Assessment Algorithm

3/10   
Valeo Announces Visual Park Assist Based on Sensor Fusion   |   Continuing their “Seeing and Being Seen” thrust, Valeo has announced the development and application of "Sensor Fusion" technology; the aim is to create an innovative "Visual Park Assist" system designed to maximize driver confidence and convenience when attempting reversing maneuvers. 

3/10    
Demo 2003 Falls Prey to California Budget Woes   |   Due to budget pressures at the state level, Demo 2003 is no longer.

2/28    
Omron Automotive Unveils Electronic Camera to Enhance Driver Vision and Safety   |   Omron Automotive Electronics, Inc., has announced what they call the automotive industry’s first high-performance miniature CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) camera to enhance advanced driver assistance systems.  First production is expected by the end of this decade.

2/28     
Mazda Begins Public Road Trials of Advanced Safety Vehicle   |   Mazda Motor Corporation recently announced that they will begin public road trials of its advanced safety vehicle in Japan.  Systems under test include full speed range Adaptive Cruise Control and a forward obstacle warning system which can detect pedestrians.

2/27    
Volvo Safety Concept Car Tops IEEE List of Most Technically Sophisticated Cars for 2003  |   The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' (IEEE) Spectrum Magazine has selected “the most technically sophisticated cars for 2003,” keying on bold technologies and significant jumps in performance, convenience and comfort. Intelligent vehicle technologies play a strong role in the overall list.

2/25    
Conference Kicks Off DARPA's Grand Challenge for Autonomous Vehicles   |   DARPA, the central R&D agency of the US Department of Defense, has challenged innovators around the country to enter a $1M winner-take-all 300 mile cross-country race.  But this is no ordinary race--competing vehicles must negotiate the mixed on/off-road course from Los Angeles to Las Vegas completely autonomously.  Rob Larsen, robotics program manager at Cambridge, Mass.-based Draper Labs, provided IVsource with this first-hand account of the kickoff meeting.

2/22    
Cooperative Driverless Vehicles Ready to Roll   |   Australian researchers at Griffith University took their driverless cooperative vehicle technology to the French INRIA lab for testing -- and the vehicles successfully maneuvered among themselves at intersections and other settings.  Griffith U. is a participant in several European projects investigating automated vehicles for urban centers.  Professor Ljubo Vlacic provided IVsource this report on their approach and future plans.

2/5    
Freightliner Puts Rollover Stability Advisor on the Market After Successful Field Test   |   Truckmaker Freightliner Corporation, which successfully piloted their Rollover Stability Advisor and Controller in a recently completed USDOT Intelligent Vehicle Initiative field operational test, has decided to commercialize the product as a result.

2/5    
DaimlerChrysler:  Next-Generation Digital Maps and Driver Assistance Systems Offer A Powerful Combination   |   Global sales of in-vehicle navigation systems are expected to reach 10 million this year, so that digital maps are steadily becoming a part of the vehicle electronic infrastructure.  In an article published by Mercedes Magazine and recently reprinted in the New Straits Times, Dr. Ralf Herrtwich, head of the Telematic Research Laboratory at DaimlerChrysler Research, describes his vision for the fusion of digital maps with active safety systems.

2/4    
ITS America Legislative Conference Spells Out Prognosis for Transportation Reauthorization   |   On January 10, ITS America hosted a legislative conference focused on ITS and the reauthorization of the soon-to-expire TEA-21 legislation that has set USDOT priorities and funding for the last several years.  The wheels are rapidly turning in Washington to shape a new program, temporarily dubbed “TEA-22.”  IVsource was at the conference to check out the prospects for the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative and related programs.

1/28    
Congestion Eroding Safety and Economic Benefits in the US – A New Report by T.R.I.P.   |   Although the choir of supporting voices is rather small, IVsource has consistently held that intelligent vehicle systems can go beyond safety to serve society in alleviating traffic congestion.  A report recently released by The Road Information Program (TRIP) vividly makes the case for this -- while highlighting the toll exacted on the USA country by congestion, it notes that most highway agencies remain mired in “managing congestion,” as a result of their limiting the toolbox to only the more traditional ITS techniques.

1/27    
IVI Commercial Vehicle Platform Update   |   A PowerPoint presentation containing comprehensive i

1/25    
The Dutch Officially Kick Off Lane Departure Warning Assistant Field Operational Test   |   The Dutch DOT has provided IVsource with details and photos of the recent kickoff event for this eagerly anticipated project.

1/9    
GM ACAS Cars Getting Ready for the Road   |   IVsource spoke to government and industry program managers to get the latest on the GM Automotive Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS) project, in which 13 Buicks will be deployed in natural driving conditions to test an advanced forward collision warning system.

1/8    
Bill Could Increase US Federal Funding for ITS in 2003   |   In the US, the coming year in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) will be dominated by work on Congressional reauthorization of the surface transportation bill.  IVsource passes on a brief update provided by “Inside ITS” editor Mike Curran.

1/4    
The eSafety Working Group on Road Safety Issues Final Report, 28 Recommendations   |   eSafety is an industry/public sector initiative for improving road safety by using new Information and Communications technologies.  The overall objective of the effort is to build up jointly a European strategy to accelerate the research, development, deployment and use of Intelligent Integrated Road Safety.