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BRIN’s Innovation in Autonomous Electric Vehicles and Electromagnetic Challenges
By Alexandra Catherine

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is actively advancing research and innovation in electric and autonomous vehicle technology. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, BRIN’s Electronics Research Centre is focusing on developing autonomous electric vehicle navigation systems to ensure safety and efficiency in real-world applications. Sudjono Trihatmo, an Associate Expert Engineer at BRIN’s Electronics Research Centre, emphasized that this research prioritizes safety aspects, not only for users inside Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) but also for individuals sharing spaces with these vehicles.

A key challenge in AV development is the potential interference caused by electromagnetic fields, which can lead to system failures. Such interference can disrupt electronic navigation systems, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, the research aims to identify sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and develop technical solutions to mitigate risks, ultimately enhancing user safety. This research focuses on mapping EMI sources in AV environments to proactively address safety concerns. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) refers to disruptions in electrical pathways caused by external sources, which can affect AV navigation performance and other electronic devices, including payment systems at EV charging stations. Electromagnetic environmental factors can compromise the performance of AVs by interfering with GPS receivers, which serve as key position estimation tools for autonomous vehicles. Sudjono explained that a failure in position estimation could have fatal consequences, making the identification of such interference crucial for optimizing AV design.

To counteract EMI-related risks, the research team is developing a motion planning system that enables AVs to navigate around areas with high EMI levels while still reaching their intended destinations efficiently. This navigation mechanism is designed to allow AVs to avoid high-EMI areas while maintaining an optimal travel route. The research aims to produce AV designs that are highly resistant to electromagnetic disturbances, particularly radiated EMI. To achieve this, an open-space testing method is being developed. Simulation models have demonstrated that AVs can successfully avoid electromagnetic fields that could potentially disrupt performance. Sudjono further explained that the issue of autonomous electric vehicle navigation could be considered a bi-objective optimization problem, where the objective function is linear, making it suitable for a weighted summation method. Additionally, inequality constraints can be applied to avoid route segments containing hazardous electromagnetic field strengths. By adjusting the weighting factors, users can determine whether the priority should be energy efficiency through shorter travel distances or safety by minimizing EMI exposure.

The findings from this research are expected to significantly contribute to the industrial implementation of autonomous vehicle technology. Sudjono expressed hope that their research results would be applied in industrial Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to ensure their reliability as they enter commercialization. Furthermore, the development of an efficient Open Area Test Site (OATS) measurement method will allow the national industry to conduct pre-compliance tests, thereby reducing production costs for reliable AV products. By implementing these research findings, the industry can enhance the safety and efficiency of autonomous electric vehicles, paving the way for broader adoption in the near future.

References:
https://www.brin.go.id/en/news/122423/brin-kembangkan-safety-engineering-pada-navigasi-autonomous-vehicle-av-untuk-keselamatan-berkendara