Intel testing new vehicle tech in Bengaluru

Global tech giant Intel has commenced testing autonomous vehicle technology in select school buses in Bengaluru.

To begin with, Intel has installed collision avoidance system (CAS) in 25 school buses across the city for a pilot study. The CAS is provided by Mobileye, an Israeli startup company acquired by Intel last year for $15 billion.

"Initially, we have equipped 25 school buses with CAS, which is monitored from our campus located on Outer Ring Road. We believe the benefit of this programme will be felt by local residents and eventually by all road users where this technology is adopted," Mobileye India director Michael Hirsh told DH.

Talking to DH, he said Mobileye and Intel India are working closely with the local government on collision avoidance system to ensure citizen safety.

In November last year, Intel joined hands with the Karnataka government in association with Mobileye to undertake 'Automotive Safety Initiative'. The aim of the project is to boost technology development towards safer commutes in the state.

"Our collision avoidance technology has revolutionised safe mobility and provides the foundation for real-time mapping. The key warnings provided by our system include forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist warning, headway monitoring, and lane departure warning," Hirsh added.

The CAS provides vehicle operators with 360-degree proximity detection when travelling at any speed and in all conditions, via non-intrusive cabin display units.

Mobileye systems has advanced vision technology that provide real-time warnings of potential collisions, leaving enough time for the driver to react and avoid or mitigate the accident altogether. Areas with a high volume of warnings have been coined 'Grey Spots'.

Grey Spot data consist of near misses. The higher the number of grey spots the higher the risk of a potential collision.

Bengaluru, known for its traffic congestion, didn't get real-time data for the city planners. The combination of leading CAS technology and Grey Spot mapping will now enable city authorities to mitigate the growing traffic snarls.

A 30-member team from Intel India and Mobileye team in Israel are handling the project.