Soon it will be: “Look ma, no hands!” while driving in your Volvo.
Volvo
There are not many production vehicles on offer that use Lidar to simplify their vehicles advanced driver assistance systems, but soon Volvos will be thanks to a partnership with Lidar manufacturer Luminar.
What does this mean for you as a consumer? Well, it means Volvo’s next-generation modular vehicle architecture, called SPA 2, will be fully equipped for hands-free calling (ala Cadillac Super Cruise) on Tuesday.
Hardware-Complete is of course very different from the willingness to work autonomously – ask Tesla – but it is a big step for the company. Like Tesla, the SPA 2 Volvos will benefit from regular wireless updates that make it much easier to fix bugs and make changes.
“Autonomous drive has the potential to be one of the most life-saving technologies in history if it is introduced responsibly and safely,” said Henrik Green, chief technology officer at Volvo Cars, in a statement. “Giving our future cars the vision they need to make safe decisions is an important step in that direction.”
While the Volvo Highway Pilot is likely to be an optional extra, it is expected to work with Luminar to standardize all SPA 2-based models with Lidar sensors to enhance the capabilities of its existing ADAS (adaptive Cruise control, tracking), assist assist and similar tech).
“Your Volvo will soon be able to drive autonomously on highways if the car determines that this is safe,” said Green. “At this point, your Volvo takes responsibility for driving and you can relax, take your eyes off the road and take your hands off the wheel. Over time, radio updates expand the areas where the car can drive itself for us is a safe introduction of autonomy a gradual introduction. “
It is currently unclear how this implementation will be phased in or where it will begin – probably in Sweden, where there are fewer, everything – but if Volvo can enforce this technology, it will be a step ahead of its competition by some, especially if it is US – can get regulatory approval, something that is stumbled rivals.