Vaisala Xweather is partnering with NIRA Dynamics to create an advanced data set that will deliver advanced road condition insights.
The integrated dataset combines AI and machine learning-based road weather forecasting models with billions of data points gathered from connected vehicles by NIRA Dynamics.
“Partnering with NIRA Dynamics aligns seamlessly with our mission to connect road users, automotive manufacturers, and maintenance teams through data,” explained John Liljelund, Director, SaaS at Vaisala Xweather.
“We are only beginning to explore the full potential of this data set and this collaboration—the opportunities for automotive innovation, increased safety, and operational efficiency are limitless.”
This partnership comes at a time when accurate and real-time road weather information is more crucial than ever. As autonomous and assisted driving features become commonplace, their effectiveness is reliant on precise understanding of road conditions.
Currently, many electric vehicles (EVs) utilise limited assisted driving functionalities due to safety concerns stemming from rudimentary weather and road condition estimations. These estimations often rely on basic parameters like temperature drops or changes in tire rolling resistance.
The new dataset will provide far more granular road condition insights, encompassing tire grip, road friction, surface quality, and real-time weather updates.
The combined data offers a wealth of use cases including:
- Reducing accidents: Increasing the availability of autonomous and assisted driving features in challenging weather conditions.
- Enhancing road maintenance: Employing computer vision analysis to identify defects and assets on the road network.
- Minimising resource consumption: Optimising winter road treatments, reducing salt overuse and benefiting all road users.
Beyond these immediate applications, the integration of connected car data into Vaisala Xweather’s platform opens doors for future collaborations across various sectors.
“With Vaisala Xweather, we can offer access to road weather data which helps road maintenance professionals, automotive manufacturers, and navigation providers become future-proof,” explained Lisa Åbom, CEO of NIRA Dynamics.
“We all understand the impact of weather on road safety and, with Vaisala Xweather, we are pushing the industry forward.”
(Image Credit: Vaisala Xweather)
See also: Lyft announces multiple autonomous vehicle partners
Want to learn about the IoT from industry leaders? Check out IoT Tech Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, Intelligent Automation Conference, Edge Computing Expo, and Digital Transformation Week.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.
