For the first time level 4 autonomous driving has been achieved in a fuel cell electric vehicle. With level 0 being no automation and level 5 being a driver-less car able to operate on any road in any conditions a human driver could negotiate, level 4 is considered “high automation”. A level 4 autonomous vehicle can operate without human input or oversight but only under select conditions, typically highway conditions.

Recently, five Hyundai fuel cell electric vehicles completed a self-driven 118 mile journey from Seoul to Pyeongchang. Not at limited speed on domestic roads, but at the speed limit of 68 mph on public highways. The level 4 autonomous vehicles equipped with 5G network technology executed lane changes, passing maneuvers, and navigated toll gates.

These self-driving vehicles use an array of cameras, radar, LiDAR (laser sensors), and GPS to identify their location and be able to navigate through obstacles like toll gates. Autonomous driving processes a high volume of data, which requires a lot of power. The fuel cell electric model is an ideal choice since it produces electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the on-board fuel cell stack.

Using a 5G network these vehicles also offered a few advanced information technologies.

• Passengers in the rear seats can use “Home Connect,” a car-to-home technology which enables the user to access and control IoT (Internet of Things) devices installed in their smart home. They can view home camera images in real-time, control the lighting, remote door lock or TV, and even manage home energy systems.
• “Assistant Chat” is a technology that allows users to ask questions to a Chat Bot with simple voice commands and receive answers in the form of text or images.
• “Wellness Care” can monitor health information of passengers seated in the rear of the vehicle, such as their stress level, heart rate, and mood state. They can also access relaxing therapeutic services, and they can be connected with a health consultant through a real-time video call.
• In addition, the vehicle also provides “Noise-Away” cabin noise reduction technology, and “Mood Care” which provides rear door mood lighting when the music player or Wellness Care is active.

These advanced infotainment features enable drivers to make the best use of their time spent in autonomously driven vehicles, with the goal of making them more than a simple means of moving from one location to another.

Who Knew? While this may be a “first time” for these self-driving vehicles it will certainly not be the last. With highway test drives amounting to hundreds of thousands of miles, vast amounts of data have been analyzed to enhance the performance of these self-driving vehicles. Hyundai plans for level 4 autonomous driving systems in smart cities by 2021 and fully autonomous driving by 2030. But if you are looking for genuine Hyundai parts and accessories they are available now. There is no need for your self-driving car to take you to them. We offer fast delivery and low prices from our Hyundai online accessories catalog at HyundaiPartsPeople.com.