Summary
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- Alex Roy’s LinkedIn post discusses testing autonomous vehicles going from New York to Los Angeles
- Testing autonomous vehicles from coast to coast follows the historical tradition of Cannonball runs
- AV Cannonballing serves as a large, measurable challenge for fully autonomous systems
- AV Cannonballing should be paired with consistent city street testing to measure performance on surface streets
Article
The recent LinkedIn post by Alex Roy raises questions about the future of autonomous vehicles, focusing on the testing of AVs going from New York to Los Angeles as a more comprehensive test compared to local loops. The history of Cannonball runs, from proving automotive technology superiority to setting speed records, is highlighted to provide context for the significance of such tests. The evolution of testing from ICE to EVs and now AVs is discussed, showcasing the progression in vehicle technology and challenges faced.
The Cannonball run serves as a measurable challenge for AV testing, offering a unique and varied route each time, unlike controlled courses where AVs are tested consistently. By measuring overall time, disengagements, and errors during the run, systems can be compared, and improvements tracked. This type of testing provides valuable data for developing and refining autonomous driving technology, marking an important step in the evolution of AVs.
While AV Cannonballing offers a comprehensive testing approach, it does have limitations, such as avoiding testing on surface streets. The need for a mix of highway and surface street testing to assess the performance of AVs in various environments is emphasized. Despite this downside, the importance of AV Cannonballing is acknowledged for pushing the boundaries of AV technology and providing insights into their capabilities.
The comparison between gas cars and EVs in setting records for travel under electric power is mentioned, showcasing the advancements in EV technology. With semi-autonomous records being set and the goal of testing fully autonomous systems coast to coast, the future of AV technology is promising. By challenging the capabilities of AV systems through rigorous testing like Cannonball runs, the industry can work towards achieving fully autonomous vehicles that are safe and reliable.
Overall, the article highlights the importance of comprehensive testing methods like AV Cannonballing in advancing autonomous driving technology. By facing real-world challenges and measuring performance metrics, AV systems can be improved and refined. Additionally, the need for a balanced testing approach that includes both highway and surface street testing is emphasized to ensure the effectiveness and safety of AVs in different driving environments.
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