Ford has started licensing its robotic test driving technology to other automakers which is designed to make the process of durability testing simple.
For the patented technology, Ford worked closely with Utah-based Autonomous Solutions (ASI) to further develop ASI's software and components that are designed to enable autonomous, robotic options of test vehicles.
The Robotic durability testing includes control module that controls vehicle steering, and engineers can track the vehicle's position using cameras in a central control room.
If the vehicle strays from its course, engineers have the ability to correct the course, stop the vehicle or restart the test.
The onboard sensors also have the ability to stop the vehicle if a pedestrian or another vehicle comes into the test vehicle's path.
According to Ford, the robotically driven vehicles are designed to repeatedly perform tests on harsh surfaces which include broken concrete, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.
The automaker said that it has granted a patent license to ASI, giving the rights to the company to incorporate and use its bell crank actuators in the systems ASI sells to other automakers and suppliers.
Ford Global Technologies director of technology Chris Danowski said: "This robotic testing kit is available to purchase directly from ASI immediately. Several automotive OEMs have already placed orders to purchase systems for their own testing."
Ford has been using several robot based technology, and it recently introduced a prototype system that was developed in collaboration with St Petersburg State Polytechnic University to enable vehicles to communicate with each other through cloud when connectivity is poor.
Image: Ford's super duty robotic testing. Photo: courtesy of Ford Motor Company.
