Cranfield University is a partner in two UK Government-funded autonomous vehicle (AV) perception projects, DRIVEN BY SOUND+ and 5D RAPID, securing a combined £3.75 million (US$5 million) through the CAM Pathfinder programme. The Cranfield autonomous vehicle research focuses on improving all-weather sensing and 5D radar capabilities to address key limitations of existing camera and LiDAR-based systems.

DRIVEN BY SOUND+, led by Calyo with Benedex and Cranfield, is a £1.25 million (US$1.7 million) project developing an all-weather perception subsystem using 3D ultrasound sensors combined with AI to build accurate models of driving environments. Cranfield will provide simulation, data collection and on-road validation using its drive-by-wire research vehicle, CONRRAD.

5D RAPID, a £2.5 million (US$3.3 million) project led by Oxford RF, will develop radar technology measuring position in three dimensions and speed across two, to improve autonomous driving in complex conditions. Cranfield will integrate Oxford RF radar sensors into its AV platform and test algorithms on public roads and Cranfield’s purpose-built instrumented road.

Dr Marco Cecotti, Lecturer in Driving Automation at Cranfield, said the projects addressed key technical challenges including all-weather performance and system reliability. The CAM Pathfinder programme is backed by £150 million (US$200 million) of UK Government funding through to 2030.

Source: Cranfield University