[Music]
In recent decades, automobile and road traffic has undergone
radical change. Efficient engines, technical progress
and new innovations have found their way into the market.
Nevertheless, every year more than 1.35 million people die in traffic accidents
and traffic is still responsible for 18 percent of global CO₂ emissions.
A team at the HSG led by Professor Felix Wortmann
has been working for the past three years on the possibilities of networked driving
in order to meet these challenges. Our starting point was that we
can gain data through the networked car, and we use this
data to warn drivers of accidents or give them feedback on their
behaviour behind the wheel so that they can improve how they drive.
Safe and fuel-efficient mobility are
two core topics of the research project. A strong partner for a field study
was found in TCS, which has extensive experience on the Swiss road network.
TCS is hoping for improved road safety and, on the other hand,
a more conscious use of the accelerator pedal, in other words
fuel consumption.
To this end, Wortmann and his team have developed an app in which
the possible applications converge. A prototype was installed in 72
TCS vehicles. But what data does
this innovative warning system use? We looked at accident data from
all over Switzerland, from ASTRA, from the Swiss Roads Office over several years. That was
around 300,000 data records. We analysed them
and identified crash sites. And then we warned the drivers about these crash sites
in the vehicle. The whole thing was very specific, i.e. at a
dangerous pedestrian crossing, and then the report, so that the driver could react
properly here and pay special attention to pedestrians.
The TCS vehicles drove a total of over one million kilometres and collected
valuable data every day. In a second step,
internal vehicle data was used to identify critical events
and merge the data. Besides preventing accidents, the app
also aims to reduce fuel consumption. How can I display fuel consumption information
in a way that motivates drivers to actually do something? We have
done this with intelligent feedback, for example using trees that get bigger or
smaller depending on how nvironmentally friendly I drive. In their field study, the
team proves that symbolic feedback can reduce fuel consumption
by 3 to 4 per cent. In addition, Wortmann and his
team implemented a blockchain-based system that prevents mileage fraud.
And even in the health sector, the app offers
points of reference: Together with the University Hospital of Bern and ETH Zurich,
a warning system is to be developed for people with diabetes.
I myself am a diabetic and of course there are situations – hypoglycaemia while driving –
which can be critical. We are developing a system that helps diabetics
to recognise difficult hypoglycaemic situations in the vehicle.
And I’m looking forward to that, so of course I’m even more
enthusiastic about the project. [Music]
The mobility platform developed at the University of St.Gallen
not only makes an important contribution to research, but also has the potential
to sustainably improve future mobility.
[Music]