NRC's Cognitive Vehicle Technology Platform is aimed at opportunities in the rapidly growing field of automotive ICT (information and communication technologies). This movement stems from both proliferation of on-board sensors and electronic controls for safety and performance, and increasing demand for integrated and wirelessly connected communication and infotainment devices. Many of these capabilities are being introduced as key product differentiators, only to become 'must-have' features within just a few short years. NRC is applying its expertise software, electronics, computers, communications, and vehicle systems integration to a variety of developments in this area.

Vehicle Health Management

NRC's initial focus in vehicle health management is to apply equipment health management techniques, previously developed for aerospace, to road vehicle fleet diagnostics and prognostics. Working with partners in public transportation, our aim is to enable a 15% increase in fleet vehicle availability. This will be achieved through a combination of physical sensor data extraction and sophisticated data mining and analysis to predict failure modes as soon as possible, and facilitate adjustment, repair or replacement of affected subsystems before failure; thus avoiding unplanned breakdowns and lengthy, expensive maintenance.

Sensors and sensor networks

NRC's Institute for Information Technology includes a wealth of expertise in design of human-machine-interface, interactive video technology, natural language processing, and electronic systems integration. These capabilities are being applied to selective projects for the automotive sector, with a particular emphasis on minimizing driver distraction in the face of rapidly expanding electronic features of functions in the automobile of the future.

Telematics and connectivity

In cooperation with several other federal and provincial departments, and a consortium of industrial partners from both the ICT and automotive sectors, NRC is engaged in plans to develop a highway testbed for ongoing development of new vehicle-based communication technologies. These will include ultra-high-speed communication between vehicles and with critical roadway infrastructure, to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion and delays, and to provide operators and passengers with easy access to a plethora of remote and location-specific services.

Eco-Smart Transportation

Finally, as the evolution of automobiles and related public policy continues toward electrification, and a host of initiatives aimed at environmental impact reduction, sophisticated ICT solutions will be needed for on-board energy management, roadway toll assessment and payment, and so on. NRC will continue to seek and support any such opportunities to apply its unique capabilities in these areas.

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