Human-machine interfaces significantly influence the development of autonomous vehicles

An autonomous vehicle is a self-driving vehicle that can operate without human intervention by utilizing advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. These vehicles rely on technologies such as LiDAR, radar, cameras, and GPS to navigate, detect obstacles, and make real-time driving decisions. The goal of autonomous connected vehicles is to enhance safety, reduce traffic congestion, and optimize transportation efficiency. They can be used in various applications, including passenger transport, logistics, and industrial automation.

Currently, most autonomous vehicles operate at Level 3. This “conditional driving automation” means the vehicle can handle itself under certain conditions, allowing the driver to disengage from active control, but still requires human intervention in more complex or severe scenarios. For instance, a vehicle with a “conditional driving automation” (level 3) can be a traffic jam chauffeur on the highway. Indeed, the vehicle accelerates and decelerates autonomously keeping a safe distance according to the density of the traffic jam. Similarly, the steering wheel follows the trajectories of the lane by itself. However, if the lines are not drawn on the track, the driver must regain control of the vehicle. This necessity highlights the critical role of Human Machine Interfaces in these vehicles. Even as they navigate autonomously, situations arise—like severe weather or unexpected roadblocks—where a human must take over.

• UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles) & UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles): used extensively in defense, logistics, and emergency response, autonomous ground vehicle and UAVs operate without human intervention, enhancing safety and efficiency in hazardous environments.

• e-Transportation & last-mile delivery: the rise of autonomous delivery vehicles, such as shuttles and last-mile robots, is transforming urban logistics by providing efficient and cost-effective solutions for parcel distribution.

At APEM, we are committed to the challenges of new forms of smart mobility solutions and public transport. We aspire to build the mobility experience of tomorrow. Consequently, we supply robust components tailored for these autonomous systems. Products like the CW, IP, and XA series are engineered to meet the specific demands of autonomous vehicles. With its hall effect, the CW series provides proportional control in one miniature axis whereas the IP series has an operating temperature ranging from -45°C to +85°C and a service life of 500,000 cycles. Meanwhile, the XA series from IDEC, an E stop, is equipped with new technology called safe break action. The safe break action design reverses the energy direction and uses the spring-pressure to assure that the NC contacts will open if the emergency stop switch is damaged or the contact blocks separate due to excessive force. Overall, these components combining ergonomics and robustness ensure reliability and precision in high-stakes environments, contributing to the future of autonomous vehicles.