University takes delivery of self-driving vehicles

Coventry University’s new electric Nissan e-NV200s. Photo credit: Coventry University

Coventry University’s Institute for Future Transport and Cities (IFTC) has taken delivery of two self-driving vehicles, supplied by Oxfordshire-based technology partner StreetDrone.

The two electric Nissan e-NV200s boast a whole host of connectivity, sensing and monitoring technologies that will support IFTC’s Systems Security Group in maintaining its position as a leading authority in the area of secure connected mobility.

The vehicles will allow researchers to gather vital data on driver-vehicle interaction by monitoring parameters such as the head position, gaze and blink rate of the driver. They will also provide the opportunity to test vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity and security, with each Nissan carrying laser range-finders to measure the proximity of surrounding vehicles and sophisticated data logging systems.

Autonomous vehicle research
Besides transforming IFTC’s knowledge and expertise around autonomous vehicle research, this investment will also support the aims of the university’s wider research activity.

The ability to carry out the mass collection of real-world data and surveying will prove particularly valuable in important areas such as environmental research, smart city urban sensing, geo-mapping and health technology development.

Siraj Shaikh, director of research and professor of systems security at IFTC, said: “The acquisition of these autonomous vehicles will prove invaluable as we continue to support industry with our research.

“The ability to test cyber-physical systems resilience and driver-vehicle interaction, while assisting other research areas, makes the investment integral to our mission of providing transport solutions fit for the cities of the future.”

CEO of StreetDrone Mike Potts said: “We are immensely proud at StreetDrone to provide the platforms for the Institute for Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University to progress its ground-breaking and world-class research in secure connected mobility.

It is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship and the autonomous vehicle work we conduct in partnership on behalf of the UK Government. The handover of these vehicles marks the delivery of 25 autonomous vehicles for StreetDrone.”