Volvo to lead Australia's first self-driving car trial

[Express]

Volvo to lead Australia's first self-driving car trial


New XC90 to serve at the core of local development.

July 21 2015 - 3:00PM
David McCowen



Volvo's self-driving car trial will use an Australian example of its new XC90.

Volvo has gazumped rivals by taking a milestone victory in the race to offer Australia's first self-driving car.

The Swedish manufacturer will be at the core of the nation's first autonomous vehicle trials, set to be held in Adelaide at the International Driverless Cars Conference on November 5 and 6.

The South Australian Government, Australian Road Research Board, and Flinders University will work with Volvo to see how well emerging technology applies to Australian conditions.

Volvo will modify an example of its upcoming XC90 SUV to remove software and hardware limitations before taking to closed roads in a controlled environment.

Company spokesman Greg Bosnich says the right-hand-drive car will only use cameras, sensors and systems already available to the public, and that the car will receive "minor changes" that allow it to drive hands-free for an extended time.

"This is absolutely a real life vehicle with some modifications," he says.

"We believe the test can be conducted with the car as it is now with a few minor modifications and additions... It will be a local car that's available in Australia."

Volvo's upcoming Drive Me program will put 100 autonomous vehicles on the streets of its Swedish home town, Gothenburg, and into public hands for the first time.

Self-driving cars cannot currently be used on Australian roads, but South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill says the trial gives South Australia an opportunity to lead the way nationally.

"Driverless cars have the ability to revolutionise transport in this country and we want to be at the forefront of that paradigm shift," he says.

"It is our ambition to be a test bed for innovation across a whole range of areas such as this."

Tony Weber, chief executive for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, says other states should look to South Australia as an example.

"To effectively introduce driverless vehicles into Australia, it is vital that governments and industry work together to ensure that the infrastructure and systems that support the vehicle are set up and maintained," Weber says.

"I encourage governments around the country to take a lead from the great work of the South Australian Government, who are taking important steps to facilitate the introduction of autonomous vehicle technology and infrastructure into Australia."

Self-driving cars are controversial as the technology is likely to put thousands of people out of work, could present new hazards, and provoke anxiety in motorists.

The technology has been put forward as a way to improve time management, reduce the road toll and reduce traffic jam by putting more cars on the road than drivers can tolerate.

Rival manufacturers invested in autonomous cars offered cautious support for Volvo's work.

Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are negotiating with the South Australian government to play a role in upcoming studies, while Audi says it has no plans to bring cars that can drive over long distances or at pace on racetracks to Australia.

Mercedes-Benz spokesman David McCarthy says his brand is not quite ready to demonstrate a fully autonomous car.

"The whole industry is working on this," he says.

"Good on them [Volvo] for doing it, but it's not for us just at the moment.

"When we feel that we have a vehicle that our engineers are prepared to sign off as an autonomous car, we'll demonstrate it. But the technology isn't there."

BMW spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher says the trial reflects the rampant pace of development in luxury cars that "will eventually result in this type of driverless vehicle".

"Technology we have in the new BMW 7-Series allows you to stand outside the car and park it via the remote - if you look at technologies like that you're looking at the development of autonomous vehicles," she says.

"We're starting to see that technology coming in not just in halo vehicles but down the range as well."

Fletcher says rival brands will benefit from Volvo's work.

"I think it's fantastic that any manufacturer is involved," she says.

"The fact that we're getting this heightening of awareness really does help all of the manufacturers together.

"I applaud it."

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/v...21-gih6f1.html