Honda has conducted a month-long field test of its fully-electric Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV) prototype at Black & Veatch’s large-scale solar energy construction site in New Mexico.
The AWV performed functions, including the transport of supplies, like building materials and water, to pre-set destinations at the work site. The test was successful.
Support structures for the solar panels at the site have been laid out in a grid pattern at regular intervals. It was an ideal environment to test the AWV’s ability to stop at certain points along the route. The Black & Veatch operators had been provided a high-definition map of the site so they could set the start and destination points for the AWV on a cloud-based app.
During the test, the viability of the AWV’s battery was also successfully tested, proving the system capable enough to support the built-in energy-intensive sensors and provide vehicle propulsion, while operating in a high-temperature environment for eight hours. The AWV carried 900 pounds of payloads and towed a trailer, which carried 1,600 pounds.
The Honda AWV was equipped with sensors, GPS, radar, lidar and stereoscopic (3D) cameras for autonomous operation, navigation, obstacle detection and remote monitoring.
