Autonomous cars rely heavily on a GPS signal to get around, but as many streets become densely populated by tall buildings on both sides, the signal at ground level can be lost or degraded. This is because satellite signals are obscured, or because radio waves bounce off surroundings and form multiple signal paths.
According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the number of tall buildings (above 200 metres) has risen by 650% in the last five years. This is set to increase again by up to 20% in 2020.
These tall buildings are not the only issue with GPS dependency. Sunspots formed during the sun’s 11-year magnetic field cycle cause marked changes in the solar wind. This subsequently impacts the upper atmosphere which can in turn interfere with GPS satellites.
The interruption of GPS signals can have safety and operational implications for autonomous systems that rely heavily on satellite-based navigation.
Localization system using radar – even when you have clear skies, beats anything you get from a GPS signal, it sees through dust or rain. The independence from GPS, whether you’re in a canyon or underground means you can use your own sensors to see what’s going on, and it all remains consistent.
The technology therefore can be used in mines, shuttles, warehouses and in ports. It means that if a vehicle is going through a forest where the sky can’t be seen or through a quarry, the line of code doesn’t need to change.