Volkswagen has revealed a temporary auto pilot system which could bring us a step closer to self-driving cars.
At the final presentation of EU research project HAVEit (Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport) Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Volkswagen Group Research presented the new system which can drive a car semi-automatically up to a speed of 130 kilometres. It is the next step between today’s assistance systems such as Lane-Keeping and the vision of fully automatic driving.
Self-driving cars would help cut accidents, reduce congestion and ensure the smooth flow of traffic even at peak times and reduce fuel consumption by cutting out human driver error and variable driving styles.
“Above all, what we have achieved today is an important milestone on the path towards accident-free car driving,” emphasises Leohold at the presentation in Swedish city of Borås.
The Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) bundles semi-automatic functions, designed to be monitored by the driver, with other driver assistance systems, such as ACC adaptive cruise control and the Lane Assist lane-keeping system into one comprehensive function.
“Nonetheless, the driver always retains driving responsibility and is always in control,” continues Leohold. “The driver can override or deactivate the system at any time and must continually monitor it.”
In the semi-automatic driving mode – referred to as Pilot Mode, for short – TAP maintains a safe distance to the vehicle ahead, drives at a speed selected by the driver, reduces this speed as necessary before a bend, and maintains the vehicle’s central position with respect to lane markers. The system also observes overtaking rules and speed limits. Stop and start driving manoeuvres in traffic jams are also automated.
The EU funded R&D project HAVEit was set up to develop research concepts and technologies for highly automated driving. Launched in February 2008, 17 European partners from the automotive and supply sector and the scientific community collaborated on the project. Total investments in HAVEit amounted to EUR 28 million.
