Video: RoboCar HV driverless R&D test vehicle can also be driven with an iPad.

The Robocar HV being developed by ZMP is a test vehicle for research and development that acquires vehicle sensor data via the vehicle's controller area network (CAN) to enable vehicle control through an independent controller.

The Robocar HV can acquire various information such as speed, engine RPM, number of steering wheel turns, and orientation, and it can control steering, acceleration, and braking. Acquired driving data can also be saved and put into a database in a server via the Internet using a cloud service jointly developed with Microsoft Japan.

"If detailed driving data is uploaded to the server and the data volume becomes huge, and if traffic condition data on traffic accidents, near accidents, traffic jams, etc. is also stored together with it, it becomes possible to predict whether the driving is dangerous or safe, or where traffic is likely to become congested depending on the driving or car status. When predicted data is sent to the car, the driver can be informed of this information, or the vehicle itself can provide support by actively moving to avoid an accident."

ZMP jointly with HI Corp. is also developing an interface which will enable driving from a tablet or smartphone. Steering and speed can be controlled by the orientation of the device. Orders for Robocar HV began in spring 2012.

"The price is high at 12 million yen ($150,000). We have started a membership service in which the Robocar HV can be shared on a yearly basis for 5 million yen ($62,500). As mentioned previously, the Robocar HV can be used as a test vehicle by researchers of robot automatic driving and safe driving support, or by developers of vehicle devices and sensors. Use in these ways by a variety of people will hopefully help contribute to support safe driving and ease traffic congestion."