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A ford truck being run through rigorous durability tests using ASI's robotic vehicle automation kit.

A ford truck being run through rigorous durability tests using ASI’s robotic vehicle automation kit.

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  • Autonomous Solutions Inc. and Ford are licensing robotic vehicle testing technology to other vehicle manufacturers

  • Industry-first technology saves time and spares human drivers from physical abuse by accelerating high-impact on-road and off-road durability testing

  • Patented robotic durability testing used to ensure Ford trucks, including the all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty, are Built Ford Tough

PETERSBORO, Utah, Nov. 3, 2015 – Autonomous Solutions Inc. (ASI) partnered with Ford to further develop ASI’s software and hardware components that enable autonomous, robotic operation of test vehicles. The industry-first technology saves time and spares human drivers from such physically demanding tasks as driving over curbs and through potholes in durability testing.

 

Now, other automakers are set to benefit from this technology.

 

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“We’re proud to work with Ford to help further develop this technology and to be granted a license from Ford Global Technologies for their patented bell crank components,”

said Mel Torrie, CEO, ASI. “The enhancements we’ve made with Ford will improve the durability, reliability and performance of these systems – allowing for even more accurate testing and higher quality vehicles.”

 

Robotic durability testing includes command and control software as well as a robotics platform installed in the test vehicle that controls vehicle steering, acceleration, braking, transmission, and more. Ford-developed bell crank actuators control the throttle and brake pedals with a metal rod. The module is set to follow a preprogrammed course, and the vehicle’s position is tracked by cameras in a central control room and via GPS accurate to plus/minus one inch.

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Through ASI’s Mobius command and control software, operators have the ability to create paths and events for vehicles. An operator can establish repeatable paths that return more precise data results than previously possible due to the robotic platform’s precision.

 

Robotically driven vehicles are expected to repeatedly perform tests on torturous surfaces at Ford’s proving ground on tracks with names like Silver Creek, Power Hop Hill and Curb Your Enthusiasm. These tests can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long, with surfaces that include broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.

 

The innovative technology is helping to ensure the all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty – Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever – is Built Ford Tough. Super Duty has undergone the equivalent of years of abuse and durability testing in a short amount of time to ensure it will hold up to a lifetime of the hard work its owners expect.

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Ford has granted a patent license to ASI, providing the company rights to incorporate and use its bell crank components in the systems ASI sells to other automakers and suppliers to test cars, trucks, buses and military vehicles.

 

“This robotic testing kit is available to purchase directly from ASI immediately,”

said Chris Danowski, director of technology commercialization and intellectual property licensing, Ford Global Technologies. “Several automotive OEMs have already placed orders to purchase systems for their own testing.”

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In use since 2013, Ford’s latest generation of bell cranks has seen significant improvements in reaction time and accuracy of the throttle and brake. Patented new design changes simplify installation, resulting in reduced installation time. Other changes enable fewer modifications to test vehicles and improved system performance with better component response. The system can quickly be deactivated, allowing a test engineer to gain control of the vehicle from the driver’s seat.

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About Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI)

Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) designs and manufactures unmanned vehicle systems, software, and components that are OEM independent. These robotic kits can be leveraged in a variety of industries including mining, agricultural, automotive proving ground, military industries and industrial applications. For over 15 years, ASI has been a leader in vehicle automation. Unlike many robotics firms, ASI has a strong software team which makes up over half of its engineering work force. ASI’s Mobius software allows for command and control of a fleet of vehicles in various industries. ASI has grown to become one of the largest privately held robotics-focused companies in the world. ASI employs a team of world class computer, electrical, and mechanical engineers and support staff at our 100 acre proving ground facility in Northern Utah. For more information regarding ASI and its unmanned vehicle solutions, visit
www.asirobots.com.

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit
www.corporate.ford.com.

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Contacts:

Sam Schembari
Ford North America
313.323.8199
sschemba@ford.com

Eric Budd
Autonomous Solutions Inc.
435.755.2980 x1083
eric.budd@asirobots.com

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