<P>
The definition of spatial awareness with regard to driving is the
condition under which the operator of a vehicle is fully aware of the
location, direction and rate of movement of objects within the volume
surrounding the vehicle, so that she can make decisions and control
inputs to the vehicle with minimal likelihood of collision or other
mishaps involving other vehicles and objects.
</P>

<P> Many problems occur with spatial awareness, however.  We wee the
main probles to be:

<UL>
<LI>current three mirror systems do not effectively communicate a
    circumambience of information to the driver 
<LI>blind spots 
<LI>problems with lane changes in heavy traffic 
<LI>backing 
<LI>seeing at night
</UL>
</P>

<P>
The purpose of this project is to develop a combination of sensors and
displays for automobiles, trucks and sports utility vehicles which
will communicate to the driver a sense of the locations and movements
of other vehicles and objects around the ownship so as to reduce the
likelihood of accidents.
</P>

<P>The basic approach is to first conduct simulations to characterize
existing mirror system to establish a baseline (e.g. how effectively
can drivers construct spatial mental models and make decisions using
the existing three mirror system).  Next we will synthesize and test
new paradigms for communicating spatial information in vehicles
(e.g. optimize the accuracy and speed by which mental models of the
spatial environment are created given different representations of
spatial information).
</P>

<P>The functions of this system are as follows:

<UL>
  <LI><STRONG>Sensing the surround </STRONG>
  <UL>
    <LI>scanning the volume surrounding the vehicle 
  </UL>
  <LI><STRONG>Sensor fusion and signal processing </STRONG>
  <UL>
   <LI>derive location of objects in volume 
   <LI>determine the movement of objects 
   <LI>predict the path of the external vehicle objects relative to ownship
   <LI>using ownship velocity vector determine probablity of impacting objects 
  </UL>
  <LI><STRONG>Display</STRONG>
  <UL>
    <LI>provide instantaneous representation of location of objects
        surrounding vehicle using best algorithm for spatial information 
        representation 
    <LI>display zones for safe maneuverability 
    <LI>fill in blind spots from rear view mirrors
  </UL>
</UL>
</P>

<P>Other considerations include: efficiently building mental models in
driver to convey and predict impacts, passive sensing (don't want to
radiate), ubiquitous in various vehicles, not intrusive or distracting
to normal driving, low cost of implementation, reliability, work in
rain, snow, dust, problem with dirt & dust coating optics, low vision
considerations, low light level considerations, luminance and color
considerations.
</P>