JLR Takes Autonomous Technology Off-Roading

Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. is adapting emerging driver-assist technologies for off-road driving.

The carmaker recently demonstrated vehicles equipped with such systems as part of what it describes as a major research program. JLR envisions autonomous-driving systems eventually having the capability to operate on a variety of surfaces—including roads under construction—and weather conditions.

As with autonomous on-highway applications, self-driving off-roading would use a variety of ultrasonic, radar, lidar and camera sensors to monitor a vehicle’s surroundings. The sensors can scan more than 15 feet ahead of a vehicle to identify changing surface conditions—including uneven and undulating terrain, crevices and standing water—and adjust suspension, wheel and speed settings accordingly.

Additional sensors could be used to watch for branches and low overhangs to ensure there’s enough clearance, based on information regarding a vehicle’s height and that of any cargo strapped to its roof. Insufficient clearance warnings are communicated through the vehicle’s infotainment system.

The JLR system also allows for vehicles to share information with each other through a dedicated short-range communications technology. Connected vehicles could monitor each other’s location, including around bends or otherwise out of sight. Vehicles also could alert each other about unexpected stops, wheel slippage and other variances.