(REPOST: AUTOCAR)
Renault has revealed technology that enables self-driving cars to swerve to avoid obstacles in the road ahead – an industry first, the company claims.
The technology, demonstrated in a Renault Zoe named Callie, was tested against professional drivers’ reactions and avoided unexpected road obstacles and cones as effectively as those drivers.
The technology is seen as a key step on the road towards full, ‘mind off’ autonomy, which Renault aims to be one of the first brands to achieve.
Simon Hougard, director of Renault’s Open Innovation Lab in Silicon Valley, said: “At Groupe Renault, we are focused on being an innovation leader in products, technology and design. Our innovation efforts aim to develop advanced autonomous driving technologies that consumers can trust will create a safer, more comfortable journey.”
The lab’s main focus is safety in autonomous technology.
Under the brand’s Drive the Future mid-term strategy, it aims to have 15 models equipped with various levels of autonomy on sale within the next five years.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced at an event on autonomy with the Association of British Insurers that the first fully autonomous cars are expected on British roads in around 2021.