When normal streets are not enough, Jaguar Land Rover wants an autonomous off-road vehicle that can canvass any terrain in any condition. The project, called “CORTEX” (which sounds like a patented insulation material for gloves), will take automation into the dirt, rain, ice, snow, and fog. Jaguar Land Rover is developing off-road self-driving SUVs under the program which serves as a performance benchmark.
“It’s important that we develop our self-driving vehicles with the same capability and performance customers expect from all Jaguars and Land Rovers,” said Chris Holmes, Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Research Manager, Jaguar Land Rover.
Pushing Boundaries
Under CORTEX, a “5D technique” is being engineered, or one that combines acoustic, video, distance sensing, radar, and LiDAR data in real-time to give the vehicle an increased awareness of its surroundings. Machine learning will also help the driverless vehicles navigate a variety of terrains and conditions. Ultimately, Jaguar Land Rover wants both full and semi-automated vehicles for customers, offering them a choice as to which level of automation they would like.
“Self-driving is an inevitability for the automotive industry and ensuring that our autonomous offering is the most enjoyable, capable, and safe is what drives us to explore the boundaries of innovation,” Holmes said. “CORTEX gives us the opportunity to work with some fantastic partners whose expertise will help us realize this vision in the near future.”
CORTEX was announced as part of Innovate UK’s third round of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Funding in March.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photo & Source: Jaguar Land Rover.
