Automakers get serious about self-driving cars

Once the stuff of science fiction and cartoons, automakers are racing to be first with vehicles that drive themselves, writes Chris Woodyard.

WHILE the first self-driving systems will not be that ambitious – don’t expect to work out crossword puzzles while lounging Jetsonsstyle behind the wheel – they point to future cars that will make driving easier and actively avoid accidents.

The latest to disclose plans is the Ford Motor Company, which is developing a feature for heavy traffic jams that would let the car keep up with traffic and stay in its lane. For now, Ford will only say that Traffic Jam Assist will be available in the ‘‘mid-term’’, meaning at least five years away.

Audi, which had a TTS sports car drive itself up Pikes Peak in 2010, says self-driving is no longer a fantasy. ‘‘Our piloted-driving technology is shifting from a purely research phase into actual pre-production planning,’’ spokesman Brad Stertz says.

Automakers have demonstrated for years cars that can electronically talk to each other to avoid accidents, but the surge in interest in self-driving cars comes as Google has been successfully showing off a self-driving Prius. A driver is still on board, but Google’s car can pretty much take care of itself.

Most automakers are more down to earth in their self-driving initiatives, building on and combining systems already in today’s cars, such as adaptive cruise control.

General Motors’ luxury division plans a feature called Super Cruise that will allow a vehicle to steer, brake and keep itself in a lane at highway speeds. Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell says it could be ready by the end of the decade.

At Audi, Volkswagen’s luxury unit is developing Traffic Jam Assistant that could take over driving at up to 60kmh. It scans up to 250 metres ahead and monitors surrounding vehicles to keep the car in the lane and accelerate or brake. Audi says it works even when there are no lane markings.

The German luxury brand Mercedes-Benz showed Advanced Driving Assist in its F125 concept car last year but has not confirmed plans for the features in production vehicles. It is able to carry out ‘‘frequently occurring driving manoeuvres autonomously,’’ Mercedes said, including lane changes and overtaking slower vehicles.

Ford says it is serious about its self-driving system. ‘‘We see these as automated-assist technologies that can help reduce a driver’s stress and add a new level of safety to their time behind the wheel,’’ spokesman Alan Hall says. ‘‘We view automation as one of the solutions to help with the potential of reducing traffic congestion.’’

VW-Audi Group: VW has been developing autonomous technology for some years, while Audi’s TTS was able to complete the Pikes Peak hill climb route without hitting anything or going over the edge – something that human drivers often fail to manage.

Advanced Driving Assist: On multi-lane roads MercedesBenz says the system will allow autonomous cruising in the same lane and safe, automatic lane-changing, and in a further development stage, even overtaking manoeuvres.

Ford Jam Assist: As well as making autonomous parking part of its production offerings, Ford will go further soon by offering help in traffic and traffic jams, taking further pressure off the driver.