The 1965 Ford Mustang is an icon that has withstood
the test of time, but it’s not exactly the most high-tech vehicle. Siemens is
looking to change that by unveiling a one-off model that has been equipped with
autonomous driving technology.
Set to attempt the famous Goodwood hill climb later
this week, the Mustang aims to combine “classic engineering with autonomous
technology.” As part of this effort, the automotive supplier teamed up with
Cranfield University to bring the car into the modern era.
Technical details remain elusive but the university
said researchers from their Advanced Vehicle Engineering Center worked
hand-in-hand with Siemens to equip the Mustang with a “suite of
state-of-the-art sensors and control algorithms.” There’s no word on specifics,
but the team also used advanced location scanning technology to create a 3D map
of the 1.86 km long course.
The modifications are well hidden as the only
noticeable exterior changes are two sensors that are located near the hood and
trunk. The interior also appears relatively stock with the exception of a big
red button that is presumably used to stop the vehicle in the event that
something goes wrong.
While the Mustang is certainly eye-catching, the team
behind the project noted it “presented a particular challenge as the model can
be notoriously unpredictable even under manual control.” That, combined with
safety regulations, means Cranfield senior lecturer Dr James Brighton will act
as a safety driver during the car’s runs at Goodwood.
Speaking of the latter, the first attempt will be
made on July 12th. The feat will then be repeated twice every day until the end
of the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 15th.
