Audi: long-distance autonomous travel

In 2014, Audi received the first California permit to test self-driving cars on public roads. They wasted no time using that permit, and for the 2015 International CES they sent their self-driving A7 prototype on a 550-mile trip from San Francisco in California to Las Vegas in Nevada. For this long-distance test, they still put a human behind the wheel just in case something went wrong. The A7 concept car reached speeds of 70 miles per hour and even endured heavy rain.

The test drive yielded data that can help Audi develop their Piloted Driving technology further. The A7 makes use of sensors that detect the vehicle’s surroundings. The grille and the rear bumper are equipped with laser scanners that provide detailed recognition of both static and dynamic objects around the car. Audi says that the system is actually ready for production and integration to upcoming vehicle models. However, human drivers are required to take control in urban environments when driving conditions are more challenging.

In addition to the A7, Audi also introduced its LG-made smartwatch that has the ability to start the car’s engine and drive the car for short distances.

How soon will we see self-driving cars on the road? Analysts predict that some parts of Europe and the US will have them by 2018. For now, we can look forward to more developments to the F015 and the A7 and hope other automakers will soon come up with their own driverless vehicles. Self-driving cars may mean a drastic change to the driving theory test.