We’re at an exciting point in the GAMMS project! Our team is currently immersed in a crucial phase: the integration of all key components and subsystems onto the Autonomous Vehicle (AV). This intensive stage is part of the preparation for Iteration 2, focused on the final prototype.
During this integration phase, we are assembling and connecting the refined elements of the GAMMS system aboard the AV. This includes the integration of the improved GNSS system with the CSAC (chip-scale atomic clock) with the Navigation Computer (NC), the new and more advanced Mobile Mapping System (MMS) (specifically the Leica Pegasus Ultimate 2, which allows access to raw sensor data), the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and ensuring that the vehicle’s odometry data (DMI/VDM) is provided to the NC in real-time via the onboard Ethernet network. The road wear map layer, created from data from the previous campaign, is also being integrated into the HD map. The objective is to ensure that all subsystems function correctly together within the vehicle platform.
Once this integration phase and the corresponding subsystem-level verification tests are successfully completed, we will be ready to move on to the next major milestone: the Second Test Campaign (Test Campaign #2).
This test campaign is fundamental, as it represents the phase of validation of the complete prototype in a real and representative environment. The tests will again take place in Graz (Austria). They will allow us to test the full capability of the integrated system, incorporating all improvements and lessons learned from previous iterations.
The autonomous vehicle will operate following a planned trajectory that includes various areas (residential, tunnels, autonomous driving area, city centre), with emphasis on specific points for sensor calibration, such as the so-called ZUPTs (Zero-Velocity Updates). This will allow us to collect vital data and evaluate the performance of all components working together for high-precision autonomous mapping.
We are about to take the GAMMS prototype into the field for its final high-level validation. Stay tuned for more updates on the results of these tests!
