Argo AI: creating safe autonomous vehicle technology
Founded in 2016 by Bryan Salesky and Peter Rander, Argo AI looks to explore and develop technology that can have a profound impact in cities where access to safe and reliable technology is needed most.
With its team of scientists, Argo AI has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Tech, and the Technical University of Munich to create its pioneering technology.
On top of this, the company has partnered with two of the world’s leading automakers, Ford and Volkswagen and were the earliest adopters of their technology.
In doing so, Argo AI has been able to combine the best aspects of a technology startup with the support of companies with a global footprint and demonstrated design and manufacturing expertise.
Today, the company has a number of offices in the United States of America as well as two within Germany.
Argo AI: ensuring the safety of self-driving technology
Recently, along with The League of American Bicyclists, the company released the technical guidelines it applies to ensure safe interactions between autonomous vehicles and cyclists. Created to encourage others in the industry to follow as well as reduce traffic fatalities of cyclists, these guidelines state:
- Cyclists should be a distinct object class
- Typical cyclists behaviour should be expected
- Cycling infrastructure and local laws should be mapped
- A self-driving system should drive in a consistent and understandable way
- Prepare for uncertain situations and proactively slow down
- Cyclist scenarios should be tested continuously.
Commenting on the guidelines Rander said: "Argo AI is focused on developing self-driving technology that makes cities safer for everyone—in particular cyclists and other vulnerable road users.”
“These technical guidelines deliver on our commitment to developing a self-driving system that is trusted by cyclists and enhances the safety of the communities in which we operate," he added.
Recognition for Argo AI’s driving technology
The company’s self-driving systems has been integrated into two vehicles: the Ford Escape self-driving test vehicle and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD test vehicle. The first is designed for commercial autonomous services in US cities and the latter is an all-electric autonomous van that will enable commercial ride pooling services throughout Europe.
Argo AI’s technology first maps its route through its street-level knowledge. Then, a suite of lidar, radar, and camera sensors, provides a detailed view of the vehicle’s surroundings more than 400 meters in all directions.
Thirdly, the technology is then able to use this data to predict and plan the vehicles actions as well as factoring in the paths of other road uses. Finally, Argo AI’s self-driving system directs the engine, braking, and steering so that the vehicle moves safely and naturally, like an experienced local driver.
For its technology, Argo AI has recently been selected as the winner of the 2021 Automotive Sensor Hardware Solution of the Year by the AutoTech Breakthrough Awards program.
“We are honoured to be recognised by the AutoTech Breakthrough Awards program for our breakthrough Argo Lidar technology,” said Zach Little, Vice President of Hardware.
“The Argo Hardware team developed a long-range lidar sensor with capabilities that we have not identified elsewhere in the supply base, giving Argo a competitive advantage to scale safe self-driving technology to meet the growing demand for goods delivery and ride-hailing.”
Founded in 2016 by Bryan Salesky and Peter Rander, Argo AI looks to explore and develop technology that can have a profound impact in cities where access to safe and reliable technology is needed most.
With its team of scientists, Argo AI has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Tech, and the Technical University of Munich to create its pioneering technology.
On top of this, the company has partnered with two of the world’s leading automakers, Ford and Volkswagen and were the earliest adopters of their technology.
In doing so, Argo AI has been able to combine the best aspects of a technology startup with the support of companies with a global footprint and demonstrated design and manufacturing expertise.
Today, the company has a number of offices in the United States of America as well as two within Germany.
Argo AI: ensuring the safety of self-driving technology
Recently, along with The League of American Bicyclists, the company released the technical guidelines it applies to ensure safe interactions between autonomous vehicles and cyclists. Created to encourage others in the industry to follow as well as reduce traffic fatalities of cyclists, these guidelines state:
- Cyclists should be a distinct object class
- Typical cyclists behaviour should be expected
- Cycling infrastructure and local laws should be mapped
- A self-driving system should drive in a consistent and understandable way
- Prepare for uncertain situations and proactively slow down
- Cyclist scenarios should be tested continuously.
Commenting on the guidelines Rander said: "Argo AI is focused on developing self-driving technology that makes cities safer for everyone—in particular cyclists and other vulnerable road users.”
“These technical guidelines deliver on our commitment to developing a self-driving system that is trusted by cyclists and enhances the safety of the communities in which we operate," he added.
Recognition for Argo AI’s driving technology
The company’s self-driving systems has been integrated into two vehicles: the Ford Escape self-driving test vehicle and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD test vehicle. The first is designed for commercial autonomous services in US cities and the latter is an all-electric autonomous van that will enable commercial ride pooling services throughout Europe.
Argo AI’s technology first maps its route through its street-level knowledge. Then, a suite of lidar, radar, and camera sensors, provides a detailed view of the vehicle’s surroundings more than 400 meters in all directions.
Thirdly, the technology is then able to use this data to predict and plan the vehicles actions as well as factoring in the paths of other road uses. Finally, Argo AI’s self-driving system directs the engine, braking, and steering so that the vehicle moves safely and naturally, like an experienced local driver.
For its technology, Argo AI has recently been selected as the winner of the 2021 Automotive Sensor Hardware Solution of the Year by the AutoTech Breakthrough Awards program.
“We are honoured to be recognised by the AutoTech Breakthrough Awards program for our breakthrough Argo Lidar technology,” said Zach Little, Vice President of Hardware.
