Ford working with Google Prediction API to enable vehicles independently to change behavior for optimal driveability and fuel efficiency
12 May 2011
|
Prototype screen shot of Ford’s Google Cloud Prediction. Click to enlarge. |
Ford researchers are applying Google’s Prediction API to more than two years of their own predictive driver behavior research and analysis in an effort to enable vehicles independently to change how they perform to deliver optimal driveability and fuel efficiency.
The Google Prediction API accesses Google’s machine learning algorithms to analyze historic data and predict likely future outcomes. The API thus enables the conversion of information such as historical driving data such as where a driver has traveled and at what time of day into useful real-time predictions, such as where a driver is headed at the time of departure.
At the 2011 Google I/O developer conference this week, Ford researchers presented a conceptual case of how the Google Prediction API could alter the performance of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. In this theoretical situation, here’s how the technology could work:
After a vehicle owner opts in to use the service, an encrypted driver data usage profile is built based on routes and time of travel. In essence, the system learns key information about how the driver is using the vehicle.
Upon starting the vehicle, Google Prediction will use historical driving behavior to evaluate given the current time of day and location to develop a prediction of the most likely destination and how to optimize driving performance to and from that location.
An on-board computer might say, “Good morning, are you going to work?” If the driver is in fact going to work, the response would be, “Yes,” and then an optimized powertrain control strategy would be created for the trip. A predicted route of travel could include an area restricted to electric-only driving. Therefore, the plug-in hybrid could program itself to optimize energy usage over the total distance of the route in order to preserve enough battery power to switch to all-electric mode when traveling within the EV-only zone.
Once the destination is confirmed, the vehicle would have instant access to a variety of real-time information so it can optimize its performance, even against factors that the driver may not be aware of, such as an EV-only zone.
Because of the large amount of computing power necessary to make the predictions and optimizations, an off-board system that connects through the cloud is currently necessary.
Knowing that driver behavior and patterns correlate to overall fuel and energy efficiency during the vehicle ownership experience, Ford researchers are committed to increasing their understanding of driver behavior behind the wheel and to developing accurate protocols to predict it.
Anticipating the driver’s destination is just one way that Ford is investigating predicting driver behavior. This information can ultimately be used to optimize vehicle performance attributes such as fuel efficiency and driveability.
—Ryan McGee, technical expert, Vehicle Controls Architecture and Algorithm Design, Ford Research and Innovation
The Google Prediction API is one example of a technology that is helping Ford open doors to new predictive possibilities powered by the cloud.
Ford already offers cloud-based services through Ford SYNC, but those services thus far have been used for infotainment, navigation and real-time traffic purposes to empower the driver. This technology has the potential to empower our vehicles to anticipate the driver’s needs.
—Johannes Kristinsson, system architect, Vehicle Controls Architecture and Algorithm Design, Ford Research and Innovation
Helping drivers comply with regulations could be among those needs. For example, the French government is considering creating zones that would mandate vehicles have lower emissions. Cities such as London, Berlin, and Stockholm already have such zones. If a vehicle were able to predict exactly when it might be entering such a zone, it could optimize itself in a way to comply with regulations, such as switching the engine to all-electric mode.
Work is now underway to study the feasibility of incorporating other variables such as driver style and habits into the optimization process so Ford can further optimize vehicle control systems, allowing car and driver to work together to maximize energy efficiency.
Integral to this next-step work is personal information security.
This is a critical technology while battery capacity is too low (or expensive) to allow all electric driving for common routes (i.e. going to work every morning).
The main thing is to preserve battery power for stop/start driving such that you never have to do stop/start driving on ICE power.
You could learn the routes, or you could tell the system where you are going, .e. have a button on the satnav for home, work, shops, etc.
Then, it learns that work is 12 miles from home with 1 mile of stop start at the start and one mile stop/start at the end, and the user does not charge at work (for instance).
Then the system can optimize a 3 KwH battery usage for this.
The main thing is not to run the system for the first 20 miles on EV and then have to do the rest, including some stop/start on ICE, when this could have been foreseen.
If batteries get cheap, we won't need this, but until then, we can optimize the use of battery capacity by using techniques such as this, and do all stop/start driving on electricity.
Posted by: mahonj | 12 May 2011 at 09:04 AM
Advanced knowledge of what you are about to do before you start your driving would be a good thing for the EV/PHEV. It is not rocket science. If I am going on the freeway to work, it knows what to do. If I am going around town for 10 miles it knows as well.
Posted by: SJC | 12 May 2011 at 10:20 AM
I wonder if this one of the many apps the google will have the kill switch on.
and I wonder how long until anonymous hacks into it
and sends all the cars off the cliff like lemmings
Posted by: ds | 12 May 2011 at 12:29 PM
ds
Lemmings... ha, ha, ha... you made my day!
Now you have probably planted an idea in the heads of many, many hackers...
I could also suggest the hacker to draw some ideas from the "Rat-catcher of Hamelin".
Posted by: Peter_XX | 12 May 2011 at 11:21 PM