Volvo Plans to Launch Self-Driving Tech by 2021 as a $10K Option

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

Volvo is planning to sell a fully self-driving car within five years and the brand will charge around $10,000 to equip the technology.

Volvo’s autopilot will be optional and allow drivers to turn over full control to the vehicle according to CEO Hakan Samuelsson. Volvo is already testing self-driving cars on Swedish roads and by 2017 there will be 100 self-driving XC90s sold to specific customers as part of a pilot program, though the self-driving tech will only be available in certain areas.

SEE ALSO: Volvo’s Self-Driving Car Project has Begun Using Real People on Public Roads

Volvo is pushing to offer to offer autopilot by 2021, likely making it one of the first companies to offer a fully self-driving vehicle for sale. Other automakers such as Ford are focusing on bringing self-driving vehicles to ride sharing businesses, rather than selling the cars outright.

Volvo is also in on this market and recently announced a partnership with Uber in Pittsburgh.

Besides being able to spend your time on something other than driving, Volvo also claims that its self-driving vehicles will be up to 50 percent more efficient thanks to a better driving style.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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