The upgraded self-driving system will control the steering, acceleration and braking, without requiring any physical input from the driver, Audi CFO Axel Strotbek said at the Frankfurt School of Finance, according to a Bloomberg report. Over 60 kmh (37 mph), the system will require the driver to take over.
Notably, the comments suggest Audi’s upcoming self-driving tech will be only a slight evolution over its current assistance systems. In contrast, GM yesterday promised that an upcoming Cadillac model will feature true hands-off operation at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic.
Both announcements represent the latest push towards semi-autonomous driving, allowing the vehicle to completely take over in certain situations. Mercedes-Benz was among the first to allow drivers to completely remove their hands from the wheel, but at speeds of less than 6 mph, while other companies offer lane-holding capabilities that require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel at all times regardless of speed.
Audi has not fully detailed its stop-and-go driving technology, though Strotbek promises it will arrive on the market ‘very soon.’
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