Autonomous Systems
The Idea
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Early Rendition of Suntrax Test Track
In the 2016 time-frame, there was an engagement with Florida PolyTechnic University on the topic of innovation in education. Simultaneously, the state of Florida had a desire to build a test track near the university with a project called Suntrax. The university and Florida Turnpike Authority signed an MOU to work together and the President of Florida PolyTechnic University engaged with the institute to build out a strategy. The result was a thrust in Autonomous Vehicle Validation and Verification (V&V) Research. AV V&V is an unsolved problem and the strategy had three legs:
Multi-Discipline: As a small STEM university, the best way to compete in the realm of research was to attack problems which require an interdisciplinary solutions. CMU showed the power of this approach with their robotics program from 1980s.
Unique Differentiation: AI and Sensors are popular research thrusts. V&V has less focus, so a potential to build unique differentiation with research as well as physical assets (Suntrax).
Leverage Strengths: AV V&V leveraged the strong V&V capabilities already at the institute as well as the predominantly computer science and electrical engineering faculty at Florida Poly.
The Next Step
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MOU Agreement with TalTech at Estonian Embassy
By 2017 and 2018, the basic strategy for an AV V&V research center was outlined. The research heavily leveraged institute knowledge in hardware design, electronic design automation, and world-class V&V methods. A Florida Polytechnic University research center, Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI), was launched in 2018. AMI had four research thrusts:
Edge Case Detection: Find interesting edge case problems quickly and efficiently.
RF Interference: Develop methodology to find sensor interface issues
Human Machine Communication: Define and Validate this communication
Traffic Optimization: AV technology enables higher optimization of traffic network
Key partnerships forged for AMI by the institute included:
CFAVP: Central Florida proving ground partnership including NASA, FDOT, and UCF.
JTA: Jacksonville Transportation Authority driving autonomous shuttle program.
TalTech: TalTech has a significant AV Development program.
Research successes included academic peer reviewed papers in Transportation OS, Sensor Testing, Testbeds, Accident Reporting, and an important transactions paper on a validation framework for AVs which can be generalized to all cyber physical systems. In addition, AMI team built an active database for AV Crashes. In summer of 2019, Florida Poly hired an AMI director to take over the Florida Poly research enterprise.
Launch
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In 2019, the institute significantly expanded work in this area with the launch of the Autonomous Vehicle Validation Consortium (avvc.net). AVVC significantly increased the scope of AV research in three directions:
Research Partnerships: Building on the core partnership at Florida Poly, avvc has built research thrusts with University of Florida, Embry-Riddle University, MIT, IHMC, TalTech, and others.
Thought Leadership: AVVC drives thought leadership with:
SAE Edge Reports (6): Done with senior executives or top researchers, these reports help define a whole area for the industry.
SAE Education: A course focused on bringing non-experts into the world of AV.
Forbes Transportation Column: A column aimed at the general business audience.
Strategic Consulting:
Semiconductor Companies: Help define the next-generation architecture for AVs.
Electronic Design Automation: Help to define the methodologies required to test Avs.
Test and Measurement: Help to define the next generation methodologies for physical testing.