(Images: whatcar.com)Fresh on the heels of the self-driving RS7, Audi has confirmed that there will be a fully autonomous system in place for the 2017-18 Audi A8. The top-of-the-line Audi will be a fully autonomous system, not like the semi-autonomous system currently in place in the Tesla Model S. According to Audi, they have been working on the system for years, but have been waiting on legislation around the world to warm up to the concept of self-driving cars. It also appears that Audi might be working a little with Volvo, as there were mentions of standardized technology and a reference to Volvo’s goal of zero deaths in their vehicles by 2020.Stefan Moser, Audi Head of Product and Technology Communications was quoted in a motoring.com.au article as saying:
“If we have a proper system it will always be better than human beings. They are not phoning, not looking at pretty girls, no distractions.”
Not trying to point out a fly in the ointment, but there currently isn’t a computer system with a 100% success rate anywhere in the world. Not saying that there aren’t good systems out there, but there are still many tests to be seen when it comes to fully autonomous driving, such as weather, traffic, construction and real-world usage, not just an empty racetrack that is perfectly mapped out. Unfortunately for any automaker that is pursuing the autonomous route, public use will have to be the trial-by-fire to prove any kind of success, and Audi has stepped up to the challenge, as Mosler explained:
“At the end of the day yes of course, it will be bad publicity when they crash, but we have to make them as good as we can.”
kinda disturbed by `bad publicity WHEN they crash ‘ uh, wouldn’t IF they crash be a bit more positive?
Y’know, self-driving, affordable transportation has been around for centuries now. They’re called “trains” and they really are a more effective answer to pollution, road congestion and traffic. Maybe Audi should do a little more homework.
Also, another cool thing about trains? Kids love ’em.
Bet all the lawyers are already rubbing their hands together.
Computers will be better drivers than people, no questions. The occasional glitch which causes a crash will be much less frequent than the constant crashing people do. There is more than 1,000 crashes per day just in Texas- that is a pretty freaking lousy record. Get used to it people, Fully Autonomous Driving is the future, it is coming like it or not, and it will be better.