July 14, 2017—The new Audi A8 will use more than a dozen sensors, including a front-mounted laser scanner, to offer at least the capability of Level 3 autonomy, according to Auto Express.
Audi’s implementation of this, called Traffic Jam Pilot, would allow the driver to focus on other activities—including, the firm claims, watching movies on the in-car infotainment system—at speeds of up to 37 MPH on multi-lane roads where the oncoming traffic is at the other side of a barrier.
The system is activated by a button on the center console, and it can take over acceleration, braking, steering, and starting from a dead-stop, all without the driver paying attention.
The traffic jam pilot only works on highways with a physical barrier separating oncoming traffic, and the use of the system is subject to the laws of whichever jurisdiction one is driving through.
Audi said it is rolling out this feature “gradually.". The automaker, which is owned by Volkswagen, said it will be adopting “a step-by-step approach to the introduction of the traffic jam pilot in production models.”
