Tata moving forward with autonomous tech

TATA Elxsi, a design and technology services subsidiary of India’s US$100 billion-strong Tata group is making inroads into the world of autonomous driving technology, displaying their wares at the world’s largest electronic fair, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in Las Vegas last week.

Hardware, firmware and software solutions for self-parking cars, infotainment displays that incorporate wearable devices, app suites that tie consumer and car together and secured gateway integration were just a few of the technologies displayed by the company.

The Autonomous Valet Parking prototype not only relies on sensors to feed it information on proximity and speed, but on video positioning (known as ADAS, or Advanced Driver Assist System). Tata Elxsi developed both the tracking and positioning system that is central to the car’s ability to park itself, as well as to be summoned by remote when required.

Tata Elxsi is also working hard on an array of new automotive HMI (Human Machine Interface) technologies that not only incorporate touch and voice, but gestures, as well.

The team displayed its latest array of head units and infotainment screens that were also capable of integrating with wearable technologies, such as Google glasses.

Software solutions on display included an array of car companion apps that are compatible with all major mobile operating systems – many car companies are aligning with either Google or Apple, but Tata Elxsi is keeping its options open.

Less sexy but no less important, the company is developing a secure gateway protocol for use with mobile devices, using cryptographics to prevent the loss or theft of data from a connected device.

The company’s new V2X (vehicle-to-vehicle-infrastructure) simulator was also on display. This in-house-developed simulator allows technicians and engineers to replicate real-world driving situations in the safety of the lab, thereby reducing both development time and production costs.

It is unclear at this stage when this technology will roll out in the Indian giant’s automotive line-up, but it has previously confirmed that it will utilise platforms and tech from its subsidiary, Jaguar Land Rover.

Tata was one of a number of global automotive groups to show its tech developments at this year’s CES, with Mercedes-Benz revealing its futuristic F 015 autonomous driving concept, while Audi also showed off advances it has made in self-driving technology.