Can Self-Driving Cars Handle the Snow? Ford Begins Testing

January 20th, 2016  |  Canadian Business

Project “snowtonomy” is now in session. As autonomous vehicle development and testing continues to evolve, we’ve speculated on all the problems. How will the claims process change? How will the car perform in the face of a deadly collision? Now Ford’s tackling one of the basic driving dilemmas: wintery weather.

Self-driving vehicles are being tested on Ontario’s roads this year, but is the technology ready for Canadian weather? If driverless vehicles want a place on Canada’s roads, they need to be able to survive the snow. According to The Globe and Mail, Ford announced its solution at the Detroit auto show. 

Ford and the University of Michigan have partnered to develop and deploy a solution that relies on 3D maps. These 3D maps will provide information about the roads and the surrounding area, including details about the topography, nearby buildings, and any signs.

Why does this matter? Currently, most self-driving cars are guided by the painted lines on the roads. But sensors can’t see these lines when there’s snow or dirt on the road.

Ford’s self-driving vehicles will be able to follow the 3D maps. So even if the roads are covered, the car will know where and how it should drive. However, this solution only works if the car has mapped out the route before. Self-driving cars won’t be able to journey through uncharted, snow-covered territory.

Testing self-driving cars in the snow is an industry first, and the process is already well underway in Michigan.

Image Courtesy of Adobe Stock