Audi Cars May Not Require a Driver

Google made headlines when it received clearance from the state of Nevada to test its driverless vehicles. Now Audi has followed suit, becoming the first automaker permitted to operate self-driving vehicles on pubic roads! While it may seem like a sci-fi plot, autonomous vehicles are being developed and may someday become commonplace.

Nevada has given Audi permission to pilot its self-propelled vehicles on public roads

This marks the third license Nevada has issued for autonomous vehicles, including Google and Continental, a German auto supplier. It certainly seems that the home of Sin City has an open mind about many things! The piloted technology prototypes are still very much in beta form, and likely will not feature any high-performance aftermarket tweaks…ever.

Audi TT concept capable of autonomous driving

Audi is pushing the pedal down hard for research and development of its self-driven vehicles. In 2010, an autonomous Audi TTS emerged at Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado. The brand has been building more prototypes since then, joining forces with Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Lab in Silicon Valley and Stanford University.

Google’s popular self-driving car

Audi envisions a fleet of self-driven vehicles capable of much more than the auto-pilot systems of today. They foresee vehicles with the capacity to drive in stop-and-go urban driving conditions and allow drivers to take the wheel on the highway. While it is a lofty goal, it would definitely reduce daily driving stresses and possibly the amount of accidents on the roads caused by inattentive drivers!

California also granted Google a license in 2012 to operate its cars on public streets. You can spot the vehicles easily thanks to a special red license plate and the fact that no one is sitting at the wheel. Would you be a bit alarmed to pull up next to an empty car at a stoplight? On another note, will these vehicles be a carjacker’s dream?

Post by Modded Euros