Self Driving Cars | Amigo MGA Best Practices

October 25, 2021 by Amigo MGA

Supply and demand go hand in hand. When there’s a need, it is only natural that the market responds by creating an appropriate product. In this case, that means designing a car with seniors in mind.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than forty-five million drivers over the age of sixty-five. This is relevant information, as this number is a significant increase from the years previous. By 2030, it is estimated that there will be another significant increase as Baby Boomers grow older.

All of this means that more people than ever face the ever-growing fear that they will not be able to transport themselves safely at some point in their futures. The ability to drive places is integral for independent living – in some states more than others. Current solutions have proved not to be enough, so it is time to look towards auto manufacturers.

Enhancing Controls

One option that car manufacturers are considering is enhancing the controls already available to drivers. These options include access, visibility, and management. In other words, they’re working to make the cars more comfortable and approachable. While this will undoubtedly help, it is but one side of the solution.

Accident Prevention

These days, many car manufacturers have been working hard at developing collision prevention tech. This tech includes rear and side cameras, automatic crash notifications, blind spot warnings, adaptive headlights, and more.

Taking it a step further are companies such as Nissan Murano, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo S60. Their models have an additional feature available to detect when a driver is becoming drowsy and prompt a warning.

Injury Reduction

Sometimes it isn’t possible to avoid an accident, and that’s where the next round of research has been focused: reducing injuries. The University of Michigan and Wayne State University have been working on reducing injuries seniors receive during car accidents. These studies understand that older bones are more fragile and prone to further damage during a crash. The ultimate goal is to design a car that will help protect passengers as much as possible.

Emergency Response

AAA makes driving safer for everyone, as they offer immediate response times for broken-down vehicles and accidents. Other companies have followed suit, making it easier to reach out for assistance when on the road.

Self-Driving Cars

While self-driving cars have yet to be perfected, there’s no doubt that they will help seniors once fully available to the public. Realistically, self-driving vehicles will make everyone safer in the long run; this is why companies have been pushing so hard to perfect the technology.

Radar Tech for Self-Driving Cars

October 5, 2021 by Amigo MGA

The push to create a functional self-driving car has always been there – but the last decade has seen increased pressure. Drivers and manufacturers alike want to see the technology work.

Over the years, many different attempts have been made, with varying forms of technology backing the experiments. Until recently, the preferential sensor was LIDAR, but now RADAR is taking the industry by storm.

Given how dated the technology itself is, it might be hard to believe that RADAR is the new big technology on the self-driving platform. But this application is new – and it is giving manufacturers a reason to hope.

The Need for Self-Driving Cars

The past decade has brought about hundreds of different inventions to make driving safer – for everyone. Unfortunately, none of the current technology in place can counteract the distractable nature of the driver.

GHSA has compiled a list of statistics that proves pedestrian deaths via vehicle collisions have drastically increased during the pandemic. This is even though fewer people are driving than ever before. It is believed that many of these accidents were preventable. Following investigations, many drivers were found to be speeding, distracted, or under the influence.

In other words, the best way to create safe driving technology is by perfecting self-driving cars.

LIDAR vs. RADAR

As mentioned before, up until recently, LIDAR was the preferred option for applied autonomy. LIDAR stands for Light Imaging Detection and Ranging, and it uses light pulses to map the surroundings.

Conversely, RADAR uses radio waves as a way of mapping surroundings. LIDAR had been preferred for its higher rate of accuracy. However, it has a few significant drawbacks. LIDAR isn’t as accurate during night hours, inclement weather, is expensive, and as early results have shown us: dealing with sudden obstacles on the road.

RADAR In Self-Driving Cars

RADAR first found its way into the automotive industry in the 1990s due to the variety of uses it provides. RADAR systems are tough, which is always a benefit for any automotive part, and they’re less expensive (compared to LIDAR).

The rising benefits of RADAR don’t stop there. RADAR systems can instantaneously measure the velocity of objects, which is critical for self-driving vehicles. Without this ability, it would be impossible to safely navigate a road full of other cars, bikes, and pedestrians.

RADAR also benefits from functioning during inclement weather and has less risk of damage should it be exposed to dirt. There is still a long way to go when it comes to creating the perfect self-driving vehicle, but RADAR is bringing us one step closer.

Car Tech Designed with Seniors in Mind

Radar Tech for Self-Driving Cars

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