Volvo Previews Self-Driving Cars With New Auto Pilot Interface
Volvo is previewing the interface for its self-driving cars, and wants to make sure it is as user friendly as possible.
Called the IntelliSafe Auto Pilot interface, Volvo designed it to be simple and intuitive with the autonomous mode activated and deactivated with specially designed paddles on the steering wheel. Showing off a safe and seamless handover of control, the vehicle will give the driver a message when Auto Pilot is ready. Along with the message, lights on the steering-wheel paddles will start flashing when the vehicle enters a route where autonomous driving is available.
The driver can then easily pull both paddles at the same time to activate autonomous mode, at which point the lights on the paddles turn green and Auto Pilot confirms that driving and supervision has been delegated to the car.
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When autonomous driving is no longer available, the driver will be prompted to take control of the vehicle with a 60-second countdown displaying. If the driver for any reason doesn’t take control of the vehicle within 60 seconds, the car will bring itself to a safe stop.
The company’s IntelliSafe Auto Pilot will make its debut on the 100 XC90 SUVs it is making available as part of the Drive Me project in Gothenburg in 2017. Those vehicles will be driven autonomously on approximately 31 miles of selected roadways.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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