The trial is underway in Khanh Hoa Province
Vietnam’s leading private conglomerate Vingroup has launched a trial for level-four electric autonomous vehicles and expects to put its technological products into operation next year.
Vingroup Big Data Institute (VinBigdata) has researched and developed electric self-operating cars for use in tourist sites, resorts or smart cities.
The trial is underway on Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, VinBigdata said.
At level four, a self-driving car can run at 30 kilometers per hour and provide its 23 passengers a smooth travel experience without the need for a driver at all.
The automated vehicle is equipped with a high-resolution map covering an area of up to 10 square kilometers, and has an optimal positioning ability with an error of only about five centimeters.
It is capable of identifying obstacles on its routes such as pedestrians, other vehicles, and signs with high accuracy thanks to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
In addition, it combines data between two lidars, which are distance sensors by light, and six 102-degree viewing angle cameras.
The autonomous vehicle can automatically decelerate from a distance of 30 meters, shift between lanes from a distance of 10 meters upon detection of obstacles, and automatically park, among other features.
The car can steer itself to another lane to avoid obstacles and then return to the initial lane, or it is able to operate on complex terrains such as hills.
VinBigdata’s electric self-driving cars are expected to be in use in 2022.
Current autonomous vehicle development can be divided into five levels.
The vehicle at level one can assist with some functions, but the driver still has to take the main responsibility for steering.
At level two, the vehicle can be partially self-operated, but the driver still has to monitor and intervene in a timely manner.
For vehicles at level three, they can drive by themselves under certain conditions without constant supervision.
A level-four vehicle is a fully autonomous system that requires no driver supervision, but is used in certain areas only.
Vehicles reaching level five have self-driving ability with all automated functions and operations as if they were directly steered by drivers.
