Share The Road, Google: Volvo Testing Self-Driving Cars In Sweden
Google isn’t the only company out there field testing self-driving cars. A day after Google provided a long-overdue update on its autonomous auto project, Volvo stated that it, too, is cruising city streets with robot drivers.
Volvo’s driverless cars are navigating the streets of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Volvo says that its Autopilot technology is meeting performance expectations. “The test cars are now able to handle lane following, speed adaption, and merging traffic all by themselves. This is an important step towards our aim that the final ‘Drive Me’ cars will be able to drive the whole test route in highly autonomous mode,” said Erik Coelingh, Technical Specialist at Volvo Car Group.
In Volvo’s program, a driver can still pilot the vehicle but can also cede control to the Autopilot, thus offering a blend of robotic and human-controlled driving, which will no doubt appeal to consumers more than a strictly autonomous experience.
There are actually 100 of these self-driving cars zipping around Gothenburg’s roads--specifically, 50km of designated roads--that are normal thoroughfares from commuters, complete with occasional traffic jams.
Volvo’s effort is supported by the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park, and the City of Gothenburg, and the Swedish government endorsed the project, as well.
Self-driving cars are big challenge to take on, and it’s interesting to see multiple companies compete. Volvo’s schedule includes a full fleet by 2017.
Volvo’s driverless cars are navigating the streets of Gothenburg, Sweden, and Volvo says that its Autopilot technology is meeting performance expectations. “The test cars are now able to handle lane following, speed adaption, and merging traffic all by themselves. This is an important step towards our aim that the final ‘Drive Me’ cars will be able to drive the whole test route in highly autonomous mode,” said Erik Coelingh, Technical Specialist at Volvo Car Group.
In Volvo’s program, a driver can still pilot the vehicle but can also cede control to the Autopilot, thus offering a blend of robotic and human-controlled driving, which will no doubt appeal to consumers more than a strictly autonomous experience.
There are actually 100 of these self-driving cars zipping around Gothenburg’s roads--specifically, 50km of designated roads--that are normal thoroughfares from commuters, complete with occasional traffic jams.
Volvo’s effort is supported by the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park, and the City of Gothenburg, and the Swedish government endorsed the project, as well.
Self-driving cars are big challenge to take on, and it’s interesting to see multiple companies compete. Volvo’s schedule includes a full fleet by 2017.
