The Audi A7 3.0 TFSI quattro piloted driving concept proved itself very capable of driving in traffic, just as customers do on a daily basis.
The test-drive resulted in actionable data to help further development of Audi piloted driving.
As required by state laws in California, an experienced Audi test driver accompanied the drive from the passenger seat.
The concept relieves the driver of driving duties from 0 to 110km/h.
The car can initiate lane changes and passing manoeuvres as well as accelerate and brake independently.
Before initiating a lane change to the left or the right (on US highways), the vehicle adapts its speed to surrounding vehicles.
If the speed and distance calculation is deemed safe, the vehicle initiates the lane change with precision and in a timely manner.
Before the piloted driving system reaches its limitations, in city environments for example, the driver is requested to take control of the vehicle to ensure proper safety.
Multiple warning signals work in unison: coloured LEDs at the base of the windshield, signals in the driver information display, a Central Status Indicator (CSI), as well as an acoustic warning indicator require the driver to retake control.
The concept vehicle utilises various production-ready sensors as well as sensors integrated into production vehicles today that accurately detect the vehicle's surroundings.
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) and Audi side assist (ASA) long-range radar sensors, as well as mid-range radar sensors at the front and the rear of the vehicle that are directed to the left and right, provide the vehicle with a 360-degree view of its environment.
Laser scanners are integrated into the front Singleframe grille as well as the rear bumper to provide additional detailed recognition of static or dynamic objects.
The redundance of the sensor data consists of a continuous plausibility check during piloted driving to ensure the correct decisions are being made the vehicle and the driver.
Four smaller cameras at the front and rear of the vehicle provide short-range information of the surrounding environment.
The high-resolution, wide-angle 3D video camera, which will first see production in the new Audi Q7, observes the surrounding traffic.
The sensors utilised are close to production and meets financial targets for inclusion into future products.
