UK trials show reliability of new tra c detector with inbuilt AI

An innovative new tra c detector has been trialled by UK tra c authorities.

The first ever AGD650s manufactured by AGD Systems were sent to local authorities to trial the dual zone stop line detector, which makes use of AI technology.

AGD Systems, based near Cheltenham, is a global centre of excellence for RADAR and detection technologies where radar and opotical detection technologies are developed to satisfy the data-rich demands of the Intelligent Transportation Systems market.

The 650 was designed to detect moving and stationary targets using a new neural processing AI platform with sophisticated algorithms and deep learning image recognition.

In Cardi , the 650 was used at a site where a cycle lane intersected a busy road: the technology previously used wasn’t e ectively detecting cyclists, and there was no function to cancel demand if a cyclist moved away from the crossing before the red light had been triggered for vehicles.

dRisk, German virtual driving tech company IPG Automotive and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The project – Multi-Area Connected Automated Mobility (MACAM) – has been awarded £16.6 million by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).

To make self-driving vehicle operations commercially viable, and o set current technology and driver costs, they must operate as e ciently as possible.

A mixed fleet of 13 self-driving vehicles will move passengers and light freight (such as mail and parcels for delivery) between Birmingham International Rail Station and the city’s business park, and between Coventry railway station and its university campus.

Paul Jones, City Operations Section Leader (Electrical) at Cardi Council, said: “Previously, we’d spoken to a number of cyclists who felt they weren’t being detected by the old product as they approached the junction. Since the AGD650 has been in place, this has been greatly reduced.

Greg Baker, Commercial Manager at AGD, said the trials had highlighted the benefits of the AGD650 at a variety of junctions where there were very di erent existing detection challenges.

“During the development of the 650, our focus was ensuring accuracy of detection which – during the trials – has been shown to support the smooth running of tra c and reduce unnecessary wait times.

“Working with forward-thinking local authorities like Cardi has allowed us to comprehensively trial the AGD650 before it goes into general production, providing an insight of how we can develop new features to support more complex tra c control applications going forward.”

MACAM will build on previous projects, including the WMG-led Midlands Future Mobility consortium.

Midlands Future Mobility is installing infrastructure on more than 200 miles of the West Midland’s roads to enable trials of Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM).

WMG’s expertise on MACAM focuses specifically on the safety of the self-driving vehicles. David Evans, Lead Engineer at WMG, University of Warwick said: “Researchers and engineers at WMG will be providing trial support and undertaking related research in line with industry standards and best practice, required for the operator(s) to conduct the automated vehicle deployments safely and securely.”

University and Treehouse Partners invest £110,000 funding in data science

The University of Gloucestershire’s School of Computing and Engineering is carrying out research and developing new products and services through work on data science with business management consultants, Treehouse Partners Ltd, based near Stroud

The partnership is providing placement learning and networking for students on the university’s data-science-related courses within the School of Computing and Engineering.

The project is being carried out as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership – a partly government-funded programme bringing together businesses and universities.

The funding has been provided by Innovate UK, the government’s innovation agency, with an additional £54,000 from Treehouse Partners, bringing the total project funding to £164,000.

Dr Will Sayers, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Computing at the university, said: “The work will enable Treehouse Partners to develop an online data-science driven platform that can complement the current services they o er their clients around training, learning and coaching, as well as providing essential data insights that will further advance research in this area.

“The partnership is part of our wider work with industry and business in carrying out research to ensure that our growing portfolio of data-science and computer degree programmes continue to equip our students with the latest skills businesses need.”

Helen Westendorp, managing director at Treehouse, said: “The funding will enable fast-track development within people innovation, leading to thought leadership in our working partnerships with some of the world’s leading defence sector companies.”