Jakarta, INTI - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) continues to develop autonomous electric vehicles by integrating object detection and recognition systems. This development aims to support safe and efficient mobility in confined environments.
Arief Suryadi Satyawan, a researcher from BRIN’s Research Center for Telecommunications (PRT), explained that the research focuses on the development of systems, communications, and transportation technology. Arief revealed that development of autonomous electric vehicles began in 2021–2022 through research funding. The vehicle being developed is a three-wheeled electric vehicle with a single passenger capacity and low speed. This vehicle is designed to operate in limited areas, such as campuses, offices, and airports.
Multiple Sensors are Integrated for Optimal Performance
"The vehicle utilizes the integration of various sensors, such as LiDAR, 360-degree cameras, radar, thermal cameras, and visual cameras. All sensors work in an integrated manner to detect and recognize objects around the vehicle, which are then processed by an embedded computing system, enabling the vehicle to navigate and move autonomously. The challenge we are still developing is the communication system, especially when the vehicle uses a centralized data collection base. A reliable communication system is needed so that vehicle movement and behavior can be monitored in real time," said Arief in a statement.
He added that technological and infrastructure support are crucial factors in accelerating the development of autonomous electric vehicles. The use of vehicles in industrial areas and production facilities is said to require attention to vehicle quality and operational systems.
The developed vehicle has the potential to increase energy efficiency through more stable and smoother operation. He believes this needs to be supported by a locally based construction system so that the design and production process are more adaptable to field needs.
"In terms of design, the vehicle still considers strength, compact size, and flexibility of use. This opens up opportunities for vehicle utilization, including supporting distribution systems and logistics delivery in certain areas," he explained.
Furthermore, Arief and his research team are also developing supporting technology in the form of super-resolution to improve image quality from limited visual data. This technology is expected to facilitate the monitoring process and deliver better-quality visual information.
Fourth Version After 2.5 Years of Development
After approximately two and a half years of development, Arief and his research team have successfully produced the fourth version of the autonomous electric vehicle prototype. The prototype can perform stable and simple maneuvers. This capability is supported by the integration of sensor data reception, data processing, direction control, and navigation systems that work together.
"All vehicle components have been integrated into the embedded computing system so the vehicle can respond to environmental conditions automatically. This achievement contributes to the development of human resources in the research field," he explained.
To date, the research has involved approximately 45 students. This activity has also produced one doctoral graduate who completed his studies on the topic of autonomous electric vehicle development.
"The research team will continue to refine the autonomous electric vehicle system in terms of performance, reliability, and implementation readiness. This way, these vehicles can be more widely used in various sectors and provide real benefits to the public," said Arief.
Conclusion
BRIN continues to develop autonomous electric vehicles by integrating object detection and recognition technology to support safe and efficient mobility in limited spaces. This vehicle utilizes various sensors, such as LiDAR, 360-degree cameras, radar, thermal cameras, and visual cameras connected to an embedded computing system to enable autonomous navigation. After approximately two and a half years of development, BRIN has successfully produced the fourth version of the autonomous electric vehicle prototype. This research also involved approximately 45 students and will continue to improve the vehicle's performance.
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