New Scientific Paper Accepted

« All-weather vision for automotive safety : which spectral band ? »
22nd Int. Forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications (AMAA 2018).

“Smart Systems for Clean, Safe and Shared Road Vehicles” BERLIN, 11-12 September 2018 Authors : N. Pinchon1, O. Cassignol2, A. Nicolas2, F. Bernardin3, P. Leduc4, J-P. Tarel5, R. Brémond5, E. Bercier6, J. Brunet7

1: VALEO, 34 rue Saint André 93012 Bobigny Cedex, France
2: SAFRAN E&D, 21 Avenue du Gros chêne 95610 Éragny Sur Oise, France
3: CEREMA, 8-10 rue Bernard Palissy 63017 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 2, France
4: CEA / Léti – 17 rue des Martyrs – 38054 Grenoble cedex 9, France
5: Université Paris-Est, IFSTTAR, 14-20 Boulevard Newton, 77420 Champs-sur-Marne, France
6: ULIS, 364 Route de Valence, Actipole – CS 10027 – 38113 Veurey-Voroize, France
7: NEXYAD, 95 Rue Pereire 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

22nd International Forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications (AMAA 2018)

Nexyad presenting SafetyNex :
application to car insurance at
Finance & Innovation Congress in Paris

SafetyNex Real Time Driving Risk Assessment is used by car insurers to alert driver and to reduce accident rate by 20%, including personal injuries.
The ROI of SafetyNex is then very easy to calculate and it is phenomenal ! In addition, SafetyNex records real « insurance-friendly » data such as RISK PROFILES and USAGE PROFILES already validated on million kilometers. There is work to do from SafetyNex data (by insurer’s data scientists) to exploit them : UBI, and tons of strategic applications that can be imagined when you know the risk taken by the driver, even 20 times per second if you wish (ex : how to price « car sharing » insurance as you do not know the driver ?). Thanks to the French research cluster FINANCE & INNOVATION.

Gérard Yahiaoui Finance Innovation

Click to see the video

Launch of Phase 4 of competitiveness clusters at Mov’eo

CEO of NEXYAD (also Vice President of the French research cluster for mobility « MOV’EO ») was discussing today at a round table with Delphine GENY-STEPHANN, French State Secretary (Minister) of Industry. This took place at MOV’EO headquarters location in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy, and it was about the future of French research clusters.
It’s been a very interesting information and points of view exchange session.
Thanks to Madame la Ministre.

Gerard Yahiaoui
Gérard Yahiaoui with the microphone explaining SMEs needs to Delphine GENY-STEPHANN French State Decretary of Industry

Delphine Gény-Stephann was welcomed by the Mov’eo competitiveness cluster this Friday, July 27 at ESIGELEC on the Madrillet Campus (St Etienne du Rouvray) to discover a dynamic pole and launch the call for applications for the labeling of competitiveness clusters in the framework of the 4th phase (2019-2022). An opportunity to see the numerous projects in which the cluster is involved, especially internationally with KIC Urban Mobility, an ambitious European project to accelerate innovation. She was also able to meet and interact live with SMEs, large groups and academics who have successfully benefited from the support of Mov’eo and discover the Rouen Normandy Autonomous Lab project, spearhead of the 100% autonomous vehicle in Europe.

New Image Capture Campaign
for RoadNex & ObstaNex

NEXYAD is starting a new image capture campaign in the summer heat of Paris suburb. Those new captured videos will sample the issue of strong casted shadows and will show robustness of our two Artificial Intelligence perception algorithms RoadNex (road border detection even without markings and free space detection) and ObstaNex (obstacles detection).
Database of NEXYAD applies the methodology A.G.E.N.D.A. (Approche Générale des Etudes Neuronales pour le Développement d’Applications) that allows to train deep learning with a compact learning database (knowledge-based selection of learning and of validation examples) with much better performance than with randomly selected massive databases.
Yes it is possible ! …
NEXYAD can then re-train ANNs for a special cam for instance, very quickly, with real maths KPIs instead of poor « percentages » estimators of effectiveness and robustness.
Try our AI perception algorithms, it will change a few things :
       . VERY robust detection
       . low computer load consumption (runs on regular architectures)
       . retrainable quickly is sensor technology evolves

RoadNex Camera


Newsletter #23 is now available


Nexyad Algorithms in Autonomous Vehicles
 
 
Headlines :

– ISFM selected Nexyad algorithms
– SafetyNex episode 6 : Five use cases when your eyes or sensors are not enough
– Autonomous Driving Adaptative to situations with SafetyNex
– Broad Range Applications of Real Time Driving Risk Assessment
– Deep Learning for Onboard Applications: Hidden Trap
– SafetyNex and the « S » Curve Theory
– Congresses & Events

Click to read the NEXYAD Newsletter #23

Pedagogical Chair on Connected and Autonomous Vehicle at INSA Rouen Normandie

INSA Rouen Normandie has created, in collaboration with the group ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and the competitiveness cluster Mov’eo, a pedagogical chair of excellence « Autonomous & Connected Vehicle ». This type of chair is a first in the world of higher education and will allow engineering students to perfect their training through the expertise of start-ups and SMEs.

NEXYAD CEO on Mobility TV about Road Safety applied to AV

Use the YouTube translation to follow with your language.

Gérard YAHIAOUI, CEO of NEXYAD, participed in a TV show on Mobility TV about the Autonomous Vehicle, where he explained the value of SafetyNex for road safety applied to Autonomous Vehicle. The other guests were Jean-Pierre CARNEVALE, departement director for Ipsos, Abdelkrim DOUFENE from IRT SystemX, and Hervé GROS from SIA (automotive engineers society), the talk show was animated by Patrick ROGER for Auto K7.

First French Congress devoted to Autonomous Vehicles

Last 25-26 june, SIA and URF jointly organized the first French conference on the autonomous vehicle in order to cross the views of the whole scientific and technical communities : car manufacturers, suppliers, road infrastructures, telecommunications and transport operators in connection with the national and territorial public decision-makers.
200 experts, 4 sectors, a dozen of exhibitors, 38 interventions, keynotes by Anne-Marie Idrac (AV special adviser), Cédric Villani (AI special adviser) and Luc Chatel (President of PFA), 1 round table of industrial leaders and the public sector, or how to draw up the state of the art for the biggest technological change in mobility and transport.

The goal is to accelerate the capacity for innovation everyone to serve everyone, by bringing all stakeholders together under the aegis of the most relevant experts for the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow.

Gerard Yahiaoui, CEO of Nexyad was invited to talk about SafetyNex on a focus about Intelligent Onboard Technologies.

Gerard Yahiaoui at SIA Conference
Gérard Yahiaoui explaining SafetyNex


Autonomous Driving Adaptative to situations with SafetyNex

HOW TO MAKE YOUR AUTONOMOUS DRIVING (AD) ADAPTIVE TO SITUATIONS THAT WERE NOT IMAGINED BEFORE

The true function of an autonomous vehicle is to move you from a point A to a point B, as quicly as possible, in comfort and safety (road safety : without accident and even without near-misses). Let’s talk about road safety because it is the job of NEXYAD with the Artificial Intelligence module SafetyNex.
20 times per second, SafetyNex estimates the risk that the driver (Driver is your Autonomous Driving system) takes. In an open world, new situations will happen (not in the scope of your scenarios) and if your AD is not adapted, risk will rise and SafetyNex will detect it. It opens the door to new strategies :
        . Simple adaptive response : « if risk too high then slow down » for instance
        . Complex adaptive system with deep Learning : if the response led to risk rising it is not the proper one … well it sounds you can improve your AD and even let it learn while it is in use in real vehicles !!!
And you even can modulate easily aggressiveness of your AD (necessary in dense urban areas).
Adaptative Closed Loop with safetyNex

A.I. key of profitability Conference at TNP

TNP logo

This thursday 14th june, TNP, a consulting firm specializing in business transformation, inaugurated its new generation start-up accelerator! The audience follow interesting conference about Artificial Intelligence in Mobility field.

– Benoit Ranini, TNP : Introduction
– Philippe Giry-Deloison : Conseiller municipal de Neuilly sur Seine
– Stéphane Mallard : Artificial Intelligence, Get ready for disruption
– Juliette Girard, Renault & Adrian Pellegrini, Blue DME : Feedback on futuristic car dealership
– Gérard Yahiaoui, Nexyad : Intelligence on board with SafetyNex
– Demo and business dating with TNP Accelerator’s start-ups

Gerard Yahiaoui
Gérard Yahiaoui, CEO of Nexyad


The European Mobility Exhibition 2018

TP 2018

Transports Publics, the European Mobility Exhibition, is the not-to-bemissed biennial exhibition for all the key players in public transport and sustainable mobility from across Europe. Over 11,000 highly qualified participants come together over three days in Paris to discuss the latest innovations for urban, interurban and regional transport, as well as green mode transport.
Transports Publics is recognised as the leading European showcase for innovations in equipment, services and policies relating to the entire mobility sector, bringing together leading European decision-makers from transport and politics.

Smart-Vision

This year, we could see for the first time, the new technology for rear-vision on buses,coaches and trucks : the camera-based system instead of mirrors. We visited Vision Systems booth that is the first firm to propose such system with its Smart-Vision product.
Smart-Vision allows to save about 5% gas consumption, that reduces CO2 emissions; the cockpit screens for driver are much more efficient than mirrors, they eliminate sun glare or reflexion problems and of vehicles lights, and they increase visibility at night and tunnel conditions.
This solution has been integrated in Heuliez and Irizar buses as shown on the exhibition, and public transportation operators companies in Europe have already adopted Smart-Vision.
Vision Systems also shown a lidar perception system around vehicle called Savety-Front for collision avoidance.

Navya

The trend of 2018 was on electrification for buses in particular, and public transporation in general.
Autonomous pod or shuttle was not yet present except outside with Navya.

Lohr Pod
Cristal by Lohr


Autonomous Vehicle World Expo 2018 Report

Logo

For the third consecutive time the Groupement ADAS (cluster) was present to the Autonomous Vehicle Technology World Expo at Messe Stuttgart 5-7 june 2018. Intempora and Nexyad represented the french-canadian cluster sponsorised by Mov’eo Imagine Mobility.
Edition 2018 was quite good, we propose a focus on some companies we saw to the convention.

Nexyad_Veoneer

The Elektrobit industry experts came to share their experience on how to effectively manage a functional and open HAD software architecture on an adaptive AUTOSAR infrastructure. They were keen to demonstrate how the functional software architecture with open interfaces and software modules is integrated on a high-performance microcontroller using an AUTOSAR adaptive middleware. In addition to the functional challenges, the transmission of integrity levels of automotive safety could be explained to you. EB booth visitors could appreciate why the advantage of combining an open software framework for automated driving with a reliable operating environment reduces time-to-market due to fast integration and first system-level testing.

ESI Group is a leading innovator in the field of virtual prototyping software and services. A specialist in materials physics, ESI has developed a unique skill to help industrial manufacturers replace physical prototypes with virtual prototypes, enabling them to manufacture, assemble, certify and pre-certify their future products. Coupled with the latest technologies, ESI now wants to anchor virtual prototyping in the broader product performance lifecycle concept, which addresses the operational performance of a product throughout its life cycle, from launch to disposal. The creation of a hybrid twin, based on simulation, physics and data analysis, allows manufacturers to deliver more readable and connected products.

Sigra Technologies was exhibiting its autonomous driving system, its components and services called Deep Einstein. Its products range from drive-by-wire embedded systems to decision-making based on a deep neural network. The company believes that an approach based on deep learning is the best way to handle hard-to-solve cases using traditional algorithms. During the exhibition, Sigra presented its new system for the demonstration of autonomous driving.

StreetDrone is an ambitious UK self-driving startup with a rich automotive, motorsport and entrepreneurial DNA. The streetDrone team is passionate about putting the AV revolution into the hands of the many , not just the few, providing the platform , data management system and functional safety, thereby allowing businesses and institutions to focus on their own development goals without having to worry about the cost and complication of vehicle hardware and systems engineering. StreetDrone is enabling the next generation of engineering to be involved in what is the most exciting area of technology today.

Veoneer is a leading system supplier for ADAS autonomous driving AD and advanced brake control solutions, and a market leader in automotive safety electronics products. With one of the oadest product portfolios in the larket, Veoneer is the forefront of innovation in the current revolution of the automotive industry. Veoneer takes on the challenge of automation and human-machine tion as vehicles become increasly intelligent.

Elektrobit

Vector informatik is a leading manufacturer of software tools and embedded components for the development of electronic systems and their networking with many different systems from CAN to automotive Ethernet. Vector has been a partner of automotive manufacturers and suppliers and related industries since 1988; Its tools and services provide engineers with the decisive advantage to make a challenging and highly complex subject area as simple and manageable as possible. Worldwide customers in the automotive, commercial vehicles, aerospace, transportation and control technology industries rely on the solutions and products of the independent Vector Group for the development of future mobility.

The four algorithms products of Nexyad are now well known by automotive profesionals. Numerus companies worldwide integrated SafetyNex the on board Driving risk assessment in real time, combinable with the three camera-based modules: RoadNex for road detection (edges of road and bitumen free space); ObstaNex for obstacles detection (vehicles and pedestrians); and VisiNex for visibility measurement (fog and heavy rains detection, reliability, distance of visibility, etc.)

Groupement ADAS

MOV’EO Imaging Mobility Forum 2018

Imaging Mobility Forum by MOV’EO, June 7th 2018 at ESTACA, Campus Paris-Saclay.
« Innovation Hubs : a new deal for efficient mobility »

 
Luc Chatel - Rémi Bastien
Luc Chatel, PFA President                                             Rémi Bastien, Mov’eo President

 
– Mov’eo General Assembly – 2017 Management & Financial report
– Keynote : opening by Luc CHATEL, Chairman, French Automotive Industry & Mobilities, Former French Secretary of State for Industry
– Tech Sessions : Blockchain: the ultimate bypassing. New Eldorado for mobility or just a buzz?
Smart Grid: the key for electric mobility solutions ?
ESTACA’LAB research activities on intelligent, clean and safe transport
 
Conference : Innovation Hubs : a new deal for efficient mobility
– Introduction by Rémi Bastien, Mov’eo Chairman & Ludovic Busson, ESTACA Chairman
– Keynote : Richard Dujardin, CEO France, Transdev & Patrick Pelata, Chairman, Meta Consulting LLC
– Roundtable – European clusters :
Rémi BASTIEN, VP Automotive Prospective, Groupe Renault, Chairman of Mov’eo & VEDECOM Institute
Leo KUSTERS, Managing Director, AutomotiveNL
Maren LOUCHET, International Cooperation, e-mobil BW
Laura MORGAGNI, CEO, Torino Wireless

 
Groupement ADAS
Adaccess demo car                                             Groupement ADAS Booth


Broad Range Applications of Real Time Driving Risk Assessment

BROAD RANGE APPLICATIONS OF REAL TIME DRIVING RISK ASSESSMENT
Driving risk is not predictable from the so called « black spots » location, or from only driving behaviour. Driving risk appears when driving behaviour is not adapted to driving context, and particular, to road infrastructure complexity. There is no inherently bad driving behaviour (it depends on WHERE you drive: a disused airport ? in front of a school ? approaching an intersection ? risk is different for all those case). There is no inherently dangerous infrastructure and all automotive projects that record « black spots » are doomed to failure : they are places where few drivers in the past had a driving behaviour that was not appropriate to infrastructure complexity, and they died in accident. Thousands, millions, of other drivers did not have any accident at this location. What will this information bring to YOU ? Nothing ! It is necessary to evaluate adequation of YOUR driving behaviour to infrastructure complexity.
An AI module does that 20 times per second: SafetyNex.
Driving risk computed by SafetyNex is a core notion with lots of different applications : car insurance, fleet management, commerce, ADAS, Autonomous Driving, Vocal Driving Assistants, …

SafetyNex Presentation Page

Deep Learning for Onboard Applications: Hidden Trap

DEEP LEARNING FOR ONBOARD APPLICATIONS: HIDDEN TRAP
Now Deep Learning is used in onboard detection and pattern recognition applications. NEXYAD for instance uses Deep Learning in RoadNex (road detection without need of markings + detection of free space), and ObstaNex (obstacles detection).
But if you do not analyse your INDUSTRIAL project in detail, you may have bad surprises : everyone thinks he/she knows that the more numerous the training examples, the most accurate the KPIs. Let’s say you used 1 billion km to train and validate your Neural Network (NN) for computer vision. Now a new cam is launched on the market (32 bits per color, 10k) : If you want to use your NN, you will degrade quality of images and put them into your system. If you want to take advantage of your better camera, then you must capture 1 NEW billion km with the new cam and train a new NN.
NOT VERY INDUSTRIAL!
NEXYAD has developed a methodology to get same KPIs with a very picky compact database (easy to reshape the database with new sensors) : A.G.E.N.D.A. (Approche Générale des Etudes Neuronales pour le Développement d’Applications), published in scientific papers in the 90’s – yes – the 90’s by NEXYAD team.

Deep Learning Database Validation