Autonomous Driving
Vehicle automation is already a reality on today’s vehicles with increasing use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and partially automated functions. Further evolution of these systems is being driven by the need for safety improvements and by customer expectations for even greater ADAS functionalities. Stellantis is committed to the continued development of autonomous driving technologies which will pave the way for the mobility of the future, leveraging on both its internal capabilities and decisive partnerships with tech leaders.
Stellantis launched the best Level 2 automation driving solutions and continues to address new progressive features. We also tested the potential of Level 3 autonomy, driving nearly one million kilometers on public roads. The L3Pilot project in Europe carried out technical performance tests in different operational scenarios and tests with users (automated driving demonstration with a trip from Paris to Hamburg).
In addition, we are working on Level 3 and Level 4 solutions with technology partners such as BMW and Waymo. The Waymo collaboration, which began in 2016, includes development of an L4-ready Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan for the world’s first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service in Phoenix (Arizona, USA). Waymo is also working exclusively with Stellantis as their preferred partner on the development and testing of L4 autonomous light commercial vehicles.
Stellantis and the L3Pilot Automated Driving Project
In late 2021, Stellantis presented the results of its contribution to the L3Pilot, one of the most important European projects in automated driving involving 34 partners ranging from suppliers, to research institutes, road authorities and OEMs.
This four-year project focused on testing the viability of SAE Level 3 automated driving functions on public roads. Data from the tests was used to evaluate the technical aspects, in addition to user acceptance, driving behavior and the impacts on traffic and safety. The functionality of the automated systems was tested under variable conditions in several European countries, including cross-border. Large scale projects of this type, involving multiple partners, are extremely important in helping ensure that autonomous technologies are safe and reliable before being introduced to the market.
Building on the results of the L3Pilot, Stellantis will continue as a major contributor in the EU co-funded project, Hi-Drive. This four-year project (2021-2025) will address a number of key challenges in deployment of greater levels of automated driving.
5G Technology in Service of Autonomous Driving
Stellantis is also active in several initiatives globally to evaluate 5G cellular technology and management of large volumes of data. High-speed wireless communication is a key element in enabling increased levels of vehicle autonomy, in addition to future connected services and mobility technologies. The ultimate goal of these next generation technologies is to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Together with the 5G Automotive Association network, Stellantis tested real-time in-vehicle and pedestrian safety notifications using high-speed 5G cellular and multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology in live trials conducted in Turin (Italy) in late 2021 and Blacksburg, Virginia (U.S.) in early 2022.
We are also involved in many 5G-related projects co-funded by the EU, such as the 5G CROCO Project, which trialed 5G corridor crossing borders between France, Germany, Luxembourg, the 5G CARMEN Project, focused on the Italian-Austrian-German corridor, and the new 5G OPEN ROAD project in France. These projects are all complementary with different use cases to evaluate technologies, infrastructure, features and services within local ecosystems.