Remote app steers Land Rover into future, out of tight parking spots and Solo

gf8a2315_LowResJaguar Land Rover after revealing its pothole sensing technology, revealed it is researching autonomous driving, remote control, complete turn-arounds and sensors for autonomous driving in all weather conditions. Jaguar Land Rover’s sees the technology as a way to give drivers choices to let the car itself if the driver chooses and help the driver in difficult driving situations.

The Remote Control Range Rover Sport smartphone app allows remote control of steering, gas brakes and switching from high and low range. A driver with the app can walk alongside the car, at a maximum speed of 4mph, to move the car safely on or off the road. The operation of the app can only occur when the phone is within 10 meters of the car and the smart key is detected. The car will stop if the driver with the app is out of range or is too close.

The app can be used to back the car out of a parking space if it too close to open the door, or to guide the car over off-road obstacles from outside where they can be seen.

In the future the features could be come more autonomous where the driver gives a command like “exit parking spot” and car does the rest.

Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Multi-Point Turn’ Range Rover Sport is capable of autonomously turning around 180 degrees to turn the car in the opposite direction. The feature will help to get out dead-end roads, congested parking and making a three-point turn in a busy street or car park.

The system uses sensors to assess available space and to avoid pedestrians, vehicles and other objects. The system takes over gear selection, steering, braking and acceleration to make as many forward and backwards movements as necessary to complete the task. The system is being tested to scan around the car to make sure it safe to make the turns, after the driver approves the car keeps moving until it’s blocked. Then it goes into reverse and uses the steering, throttle and brakes to do the same over and over again until it facing the opposite direction.

The company is working on what it calls “Solo Car” that can drive itself in heavy rain, snow, or bright desert sunshine without lane markings. Solo Car uses a range of sophisticated sensors to make autonomous cars work in many environments and weather conditions. The car uses radar, LIDAR, cameras, ultrasonics and structured light technology to make accurate decisions.