Compact central driving controller unit makes automated driving possible

  • Central controller manages all systems for piloted driving
  • High-end computing power on a surface the size of a tablet PC
  • Technology ready for series production within the next two years

Ingolstadt, April 10, 2015 - The central driver assistance controller (zFAS) is the core of future systems for automated driving currently under development by Audi AG. This mastermind unit uses cutting edge, high performance processors and will work its way into the Audi model range step by step in the foreseeable future. It is a key milestone on the road to new, automated driving functions and a demonstration of the pioneering role that Audi is assuming in the field of piloted driving. The technologies specialist Delphi has been awarded the contract for series production of the units.

Audi developed this elemental control centre unit in collaboration with internationally leading technology partners. Under the direction of Audi AG, a team of specialists from TTTech, Mobileye, nVidia and Delphi jointly developed the various hardware and software components. Audi has chosen Delphi as the future system supplier for the zFAS electronics board.

A wide range of sensor information comes together in the zFAS unit. The controller uses this to quickly compute a complete model of the vehicle surroundings and makes this information available to the various on-board assistance systems. It is thus the central interface for all piloted driving functions.

At the moment, most driver assistance systems are managed by separate control elements. In the future, Audi will be the first automobile manufacturer to implement this function in a single, central domain architecture. Audi has taken a holistic approach to consolidate the portfolio of functions, the sensors necessary, the electronics hardware and the software architecture into a central system. From the very beginning, the primary focus was on the safety concept.

High performance electronic components are a prerequisite for high powered computing in a compact package. The zFAS board is equipped with both the EyeQ3 mobile processor from Mobileye and the new Tegra K1 from nVidia. The tremendous computing power provided by this solution corresponds to the complete electronics architecture of a well-equipped mid-size car. Thanks to the high degree of integration, the new board is barely the size of a tablet PC. Its modular concept makes the zFAS flexible, scalable and thus future-proof in every respect.

Audi is also working with leading suppliers such as Bosch, Continental, Valeo and Delphi on the sensors and actuating elements, such as braking and steering systems. The objective is to develop common standards and offer customers modern driver assistance systems for greater safety, comfort and convenience on the road to fully automatic driving.

In the near future, Audi connect will enable the piloted cars from Audi to also learn continuously as they drive. The data computed by the zFAS board will be transferred via the cellular phone network — via LTE, where available — to an IT backend in the cloud. This will process these data using algorithms for machine learning and artificial intelligence before sending the data back to the car. The zFAS board will in this way continuously extend its capabilities to master even complex situations increasingly better. The piloted cars from Audi thus learn more every day and with each new situation they experience.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Using magnetic fields, Audi magnetic ride adjusts the firmness of the dampers to the current driving situation within a fraction of a second. 

Drivers can choose between a comfortable and a sporty driving mode to suit the driving situation and their personal tastes. In both modes the suspension's damping forces are continuously adjusted to the current driving situation. The sport mode delivers direct feedback from the road. 

The car corners with agility and responds spontaneously to steering inputs. The normal mode is geared more towards comfort to help eliminate driving fatigue on long journeys.

With Audi magnetic ride, the liquid contained in the dampers has so-called magneto-rheological properties. Tiny magnetic particles are bound inside the basic oil which is used to fill the dampers. 

When a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic particles are aligned against the direction of movement of the damper. As a result, the damping force of the damper is increased depending on the strength of the magnetic field. 

This allows the firmness of the dampers to be increased or decreased within a fraction of a second. A control unit computes the optimum damping force for the individual driving situation. It does so using information from the wheel travel sensors and communication with other systems such as the steering and ESP. 

A switch labelled with a shock absorber symbol on the centre console is used to control Audi magnetic ride. It activates and deactivates the sport mode. The instrument panel indicates activation/deactivation of sport mode and an LED in the function switch lights up when sport mode is active.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

The Audi Q3 Vail represents a new, potential variation on the compact SUV theme. The concept is painted in the colour developed specially for it – Energy Red – which contains golden pearlescent particles. Its add-on body parts are finished in matt grey quartz-based paint, and underline the vehicle’s robust and rugged character. The area around the windows is enhanced by eye-catching elements in aluminium and high-gloss black.

Vertical bars made from aluminium are integrated in the single-frame grille. They extend across the full height of the grille. The struts feature a bi-colour theme developed specifically for the Q3 Vail: their lateral edges are painted in matt quartz-based paint, and the slim front faces have a high-gloss finish. 

In the headlights the zones in the lower area of the light-guide elements, which generate the daytime running lights, are painted anthracite. The side air inlets further emphasize the themed vehicle’s powerful appearance; their top areas are covered by solid aluminium panels. The underbody guard beneath the front end is also made from aluminium. 

Eyecatching features on the flanks of the Q3 Vail include flared wheel arches and running boards, and on the roof the specially designed aluminum rails firmly hold carbon fibre skis and snowboards. The front roof-rail support integrates compact, energy-efficient, wide-angled LED lights that illuminate the area around the Audi Q3 Vail. They are controlled via buttons in the roof module.

The Audi Q3 Vail is fitted with 255/45 section off-road tyres and 20-inch five-arm wheels whose visible edges have a high-gloss finish which mirrors the single-frame grille. Their inside areas feature the same matt quartz-based paint. Track width has increased by 40 millimetres at the front and rear compared to series production models, and the body is 30 millimetres higher. At the rear, the two tailpipes of the dual-branch exhaust system are integrated into the diffuser and underbody guard area.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

At home

Find the charging unit behind the Audi rings on the A3 Sportback e-tron grille. Connect the cable for the car's charge unit into a socket at home or use the wall box charging unit.

On the road

During your journey, energy recuperation technology converts kinetic energy from your brakes and stores it in the Lithium-ion battery. This energy is used to relieve the load on the alternator, helping to improve fuel efficiency.

At 1,000s of UK charge points

There are charge points across the UK, in car parks, supermarkets, on the street, right where you need them.

 

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Ice and snow can make even familiar roads treacherous. quattro means all four wheels work together, delivering power where it's needed and helping you stay on the road and stay safe.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

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