Opel Showcases AI - Powered Light Communication in Autonomous Vehicles

• Pioneer in lighting innovations: Sophisticated headlight systems already available in numerous Opel models
• In-house creation: Team in Rüsselsheim creates unique demonstrator car with signature lighting innovations
• Ongoing cooperation: Opel, Stellantis and the TU Darmstadt have been conducting joint research into new lighting technologies since 2022

At this year’s International Symposium on Automotive Lighting (ISAL), which is currently taking place in Darmstadt until September 24, Opel, Stellantis and the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) are present with a special Opel Grandland. The test vehicle demonstrates how SAE Level 3-capable (hands-off, eyes-off) autonomous vehicles could communicate with other road users via lighting systems in future.

Making pioneering lighting technologies available to customers is a long-standing tradition at Opel. Opel’s lighting innovations currently available in various models with the Blitz include:

•  Intelli-LED: featured in Opel Corsa, Mokka and Frontera
•  Intelli-Lux Matrix: available in Opel Corsa, Mokka, and Combo
•  Intelli-Lux Pixel Light: showcased in Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer
•  Intelli-Lux HD Light: debuting in all-new Opel Grandland

At Opel, lighting innovation goes beyond enhancing visibility: it’s about creating safer, smarter interactions on the road. At the International Symposium on Automotive Lighting in Darmstadt, Philipp Röckl, Global Lead Lighting at Stellantis, and Julisa Le, Lead Innovation Engineer, will present a forward-looking concept: how autonomous vehicles can use light to communicate with pedestrians and other road users. To bring this idea to life, the team collaborated with the Opel Concept Workshop and students from TU Darmstadt to develop a unique Opel Grandland demonstrator.

“Headlights clearly play an important part in increasing road safety – but modern lighting systems are capable of so much more. For example, lighting signatures can easily be animated and used for animations. And the illuminated Blitz on the Opel Grandland can be substituted by a display that can both show the illuminated emblem and be used to communicate with other road users and pedestrians. By using existing lighting elements, it makes it easy to add communication features once we will introduce autonomous driving features in our cars” said Röckl.

To demonstrate what cars of the future could be capable of, the team first defined the use cases, those being ‘possible danger from a pedestrian or other situation’ and ‘the situation is safe and the danger from a pedestrian is no longer present’. In simpler terms, this represents situations that most motorists have encountered such as a child chasing a ball onto the road or a pedestrian emerging from between two parked cars. With this in mind, the team then fitted the Opel Grandland with a camera system for object and gesture detection, as well as intention prediction using artificial intelligence. And then set about refining the lighting systems.

When operating in SAE Level 3 or higher, the front and rear indicators of the Opel Grandland permanently shine in cyan – giving a clear signal to other road users. At the same time, the remaining signature lighting remains in the usual white. When the camera systems detect a pedestrian in the path of the vehicle, the signature lighting changes to magenta and the display shows a warning signal in the same colour thus visually notifying the pedestrian the car is approaching. At the same time, the vehicle begins to decelerate. 

Once the Opel Grandland has come to standstill, the signature lighting changes to green and the display shows a green walking figure known from pedestrian crossing lights to indicate that the car has recognised the danger, come to a halt and that the pedestrian can now cross. In the event that the situation cannot be managed by the AI algorithm, the driver is prompted to take control of the vehicle, in line with industry standards for ADAS protocols.

“We specifically chose colours that are not already associated with other vehicle functions to avoid misunderstandings. For example, red is intuitively understandable, but it is already used for stop lights or the rear lights of cars. Cyan and magenta have been thoroughly evaluated for perception purposes and are currently not present in any traffic situations. Both ensure clear, unambiguous communication with other road users,” added Le.

This innovation reflects Opel’s commitment to accessible, intelligent safety for all road users while simultaneously building trust in autonomous vehicles.

Opel, Stellantis and the TU Darmstadt started joint research into new lighting technologies in 2022. The cooperation is part of the global Stellantis research network with respected universities. In the so-called ‘OpenLabs’, scientific knowledge is gained for use in technology systems of future vehicle generations. The strategic partnership with TU Darmstadt will enable a new era of lighting technologies. In addition, Stellantis is currently funding three doctoral students at the university’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.

IMAGinE and Opel: For safer, more cooperative driving in the future

• Under Opel leadership: Vehicle communications project reaches completion
• Since 2016: 12 partners work on development of innovative assistance systems for cooperative driving
• Objective: Safe, accident-free driving through extended interaction among vehicles

Optimisation of traffic flow, the prevention of accidents and safer, more relaxed driving – these are the objectives of IMAGinE 1, a German research project for the automation of intelligent manoeuvres and cooperative risk avoidance in real time that has now reached its successful completion. Under the leadership of Opel and project coordinator Nikolas Wagner, Manager ADAS Innovations from the Technical Center Central Europe at Opel Automobile GmbH, 12 partners from the automobile industry, research and road network operation have been working since September 2016 on the development of innovative assistance systems for the cooperative driving of the future. The developments were then tested in simulations as well as in various real cars, including Opel models. “IMAGinE achieved a milestone on the way to cooperative driving in the future “, said Nikolas Wagner. Frank Jordan, Head of Automotive Research and Advanced Engineering Opel/Stellantis, added: “IMAGinE enables increased safety while simultaneously reducing emissions through networked driving”.

Five research areas for future cooperative driving

Current assistance systems share safety related information with the driver or take immediate action themselves, but the information is hardly ever shared between different vehicles. Challenge for IMAGinE was to improve connections between road users to counteract the risk of accidents effectively and promptly. Project team therefore investigated five subject areas:

1) Cooperative manoeuvre coordination

Coordinated manoeuvre planning was investigated for the first time in IMAGinE. Project team used current technologies such as V2X communication as well as the exchange of communication in simulations and in cars and trucks on proving grounds. Cooperative manoeuvre coordination makes it easier and safer to manage traffic situations.

2) Cooperative environment model

Sensors of individual vehicles are limited by the environment and the prevailing weather conditions. Project therefore created a cooperative environment model, in which the awareness of all road users was increased by the exchange of information via V2X. For example, cars could promptly recognise “hidden” objects thanks to information received via V2X.

3) New communication mechanisms

Project investigated new message formats that can do more than existing V2X communications. Cooperative driving manoeuvres can be coordinated via MCM (Manoeuvre Coordination Message). Also, messages are shared between road users, i.e., IDSM (IMAGinE Driving Strategy Message) and ITDM (IMAGinE Traffic Distribution Message). Latter enables a more efficient traffic flow, which is free of congestion as far as possible.

4) User focused man-machine interaction

Assistance concepts that encourage more cooperative behaviour on the road must be intuitive and easy to understand. According to studies among test participants, acceptance is higher when the displays and controls in the vehicle are designed for the end-user. IMAGinE man-machine interactions were created correspondingly to inform the driver about cooperative driving manoeuvres and to motivate more cooperative behaviour.

5) Environment simulation

As more and more road users cooperate, the exchange and the search for solutions in the whole system becomes increasingly complicated. Participating partners therefore tested the manoeuvre coordination via simulation in every phase of the research project. Cooperative driving functions were finally integrated in ten real test cars, including Opel models, and tested on proving grounds.

[1] IMAGinE = Intelligente Manöver Automatisierung – kooperative Gefahrenvermeidung in Echtzeit

Test Marathon: New Generation Opel Astra Enters Finishing Straight

• Arctic Circle: Testing dynamics and warm-up behaviour at -30° C in Swedish Lapland
• Dudenhofen Test Centre: Chassis development for safety and comfort in Germany
• EMC lab in Rüsselsheim: Resistance to electro-magnetic waves

All-New Opel Astra: Dudenhofen Test Centre

Development of the all-new Opel Astra is fully on target, the premiere of the 11th generation of the brand’s best-selling compact model is now just weeks away. Initially created – like all modern automobiles – with the assistance of computer-aided design, since last winter the new model has been undergoing final testing, fine tuning and validation in real life conditions. Now Opel Astra is entering the finishing straight of a true test marathon.

Opel engineers took prototypes and development vehicles far north to test the new model on the icy roads and in the deep frozen air of Swedish Lapland. Closer to home, they have been pounding around the test tracks at the Dudenhofen Test Centre and most recently, carrying out validation drives on public roads in the Rhine-Main region, accompanied by senior management. At the same time, the all-new Astra was taking its final tests in the Rüsselsheim EMC laboratory (Electro-Magnetic Compatibility) before receiving type approval for commercialisation.

“Demanding test programme of the all-new Opel Astra is going exceptionally well”, says Astra Chief Engineer, Mariella Vogler. “Development team – which, by the way, comprises more female engineers than ever before – has created an uncompromisingly cool new generation of Opel Astra that will thrill our customers.”

With the all-new Astra, Opel is demonstrating German precision in every detail and taking direct aim at the sweet spot of the compact market sector. Pure and bold design, top technologies and exciting powertrain line-up – including plug-in hybrid electric drive – will make it a benchmark in its class.

Winter testing: High comfort and safety under all conditions

Winter 2020/2021 in Sweden. As usual at this time of year, Lapland is a frequent travel destination for Opel engineers. On this occasion, they brought the next generation Astra with them. At temperatures as low as -30° C, chassis experts turned lap after lap on the slippery surfaces of the specially prepared tracks, continuously optimising the electronically controlled systems for stability, traction and anti-lock braking. Objective: the new Astra must always handle safely and consistently, regardless of the surface – be it ice, snow, slush or wet or dry asphalt. Or in other words, it has to behave like an Opel – under all conditions.

All-New Opel Astra: Winter testing

“During development we made sure that the new generation Astra will once again offer drivers and passengers a lot of driving fun and comfort”, says Opel’s head of vehicle dynamics, Andreas Holl. “On the one hand, our sophisticated and dynamic design ensures that occupants will always feel safe, even at high speeds on the motorway. On the other, it offers plenty of comfort – even on poor road surfaces – for a relaxed driving experience.”

All-New Opel Astra: Winter testing

During their stay in Lapland this year, Opel’s chassis specialists were joined by their colleagues from “HVAC” (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). One of HVAC’s goals is to make sure that the passenger compartment warms up quickly. So they monitored the new Astra’s engine heat rejection, coolant flow, heater core performance and blower airflow, as well as the heated steering wheel and the heating of the front and rear seats.

But warm-up testing is not only done so that customers feel warm and comfy on cold winter mornings. Warm-up performance is also precisely defined by regulation and even more stringent in-house safety standards, which state that the frozen windshield and side windows of an Opel must be clear of ice and fog in the shortest time to ensure safe driver visibility.

All-New Opel Astra: interior

Furthermore, as the next generation Astra as plug-in hybrid will play an important role in continuing the electrification of Opel’s product portfolio, the engineers also kept a close watch on the warm-up times of the lithium-ion battery, to make sure that the performance of the cells meets the standards for electric driving experience even in cold weather.

Dudenhofen Test Centre: Torture, on and off the test tracks

Performance of a different kind is evaluated at the Dudenhofen Test Centre in Germany. Engineers from the competence centre for “ADAS” (Automated Driver Assistance Systems) in Rüsselsheim used the proving ground’s high speed oval and long straight to calibrate the new Astra’s advanced technologies – from Adaptive Cruise Control and Emergency Braking, to Forward Collision Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Assist.

Pre-production cars used for these tests also had to meet high standards on Dudenhofen’s long straight. Here, like every Opel, the next generation Astra had to demonstrate it is “Autobahn-proofness”, meaning that it must remain controllable at speeds well above 140 km/h and stable under hard braking. While driving at high speeds on the oval, Opel engineers also took opportunity to evaluate components such as the bonnet and windscreen wipers. Nothing is allowed to flutter, vibrate or cause irritating noises.

All-New Opel Astra: Validation drives

After working up a sweat in the high-speed driving tests, the new Opel Astra cooled down in the drive-through water trough, at various depths of a minimum 25 centimetres. Despite pushing a big wave of water in front of itself, the test car is not allowed to “inhale” or “swallow” any water – the powertrain, the electrical system and every part under the bonnet must stay protected from water.

There was no respite for the all-new Opel Astra even after it left the test tracks. Despite the tortures meted out on the high-speed oval, the handling circuit or in the water trough, the Opel engineers also took the test vehicles into the Dudenhofen climatic chamber. This environmental test facility is for evaluating the operability of vehicles, subsystems and components in extreme conditions. For the next generation Opel Astra, the climatic chamber was set up to test the car’s sealing against dust and sand.

In addition to the climatic chamber, Opel put test cars into a climatic wind tunnel to validate the new Astra’s performance under a variety of operating conditions. For example, the climatic wind tunnel simulated driving in traffic jams, uphill and down, in order to test the cooling of the brakes. The engineers were even able to find out if swirling snow in front of the vehicle could block the air intakes.

On the boss’s agenda: Validation drives around Opel’s hometown

All-New Opel Astra: Validation drives

Climatic conditions conducive to dust, sand or snow were not expected during the current phase of testing. Validation drives take place with prototypes and engineering cars at several stages throughout the development of a new model. They are for verifying systems and subsystems and validating their overall integration in the vehicle. As development approaches the final stages, the cross-functional team of engineers and technicians is joined by members of senior management, including the boss himself – Opel CEO, Michael Lohscheller.

All-New Opel Astra: Validation drives

Most recent validation drives of the still-camouflaged new Opel Astra took place in June on public roads in the Rhine-Main region around Opel’s hometown – and the car’s “homeplant” – of Rüsselsheim. Engineers and managers were occasionally joined by journalists from the press.

All-New Opel Astra: Validation drives

Electro-magnetic immunity: Prerequisite for type approval

While development prototypes and pre-production vehicles are driving in the far north, in Dudenhofen and on public road in and outside Germany, others also undergo intensive testing on test rigs and in laboratories in Rüsselsheim. Electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC), for example, is tested throughout development. Furthermore, no car can be sold in Europe without passing EMC tests during the type approval process. EMC testing ensures that a car’s electronic systems do not suffer from interference.

Opel team tested the new Astra’s immunity to electro-magnetic emissions in the purpose-built EMC lab in Rüsselsheim. While the test car is exposed to emissions radiated across a wide range of frequencies, special absorbers on the walls “soak up” the transmitted emissions so that they do not reflect back into the chamber. Engineers thus obtain clean, reliable data. New model only gets the “green light” – and finally receives type approval – when all its systems have demonstrated their immunity to electro-magnetic emissions.