Photo: Volvo
Volvo does not want to make fully-autonomous vehicles very soon, a new statement from the company reveals.
Instead of making cars that can drive themselves “from A to B,” Volvo wants to build vehicles that can step in and replace the human “when it is not exactly fun to drive.”
Therefore, Volvo’s future models which feature autonomous functions will not be configured to allow them to operate in an urban environment without driver assistance. The same will probably happen on winding roads.
Instead, Volvo wants to help drivers avoid tedious and tiresome highway commuting, which can be made safer without ruining driving fun.
The solution proposed by the Swedish brand is not new in the industry, as many automakers have considered providing self-driving functions on highways first, leaving winding country roads for humans to drive without steering and braking assist systems.
We would like to note that some automakers are considering systems which allow drivers to go from home to their office and back for their city commuting, and that we do not see anything wrong with those ideas, as long as the systems work flawlessly.
In an interview with the Brits at Autocar, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson explained that typical consumers do not dream of getting into their vehicle at point A, in the city, and then arriving at their destination without driving at all. Volvo’s boss also reaffirmed the company’s determination to stand behind its autonomous driving system and take full responsibility if it malfunctions.
Volvo’s representatives are entirely firm on the subject, and they believe that a company must be prepared to answer if their autonomous driving systems do not operate as intended or advertised.
At this point, you don't have to be an expert in the automotive industry to link the statements made by Volvo officials with an index finger pointed at Tesla Motors and its Autopilot system. The latter was offered to customers as a product in “beta testing,” and customers were reminded that it is still their responsibility to drive the vehicle.
Therefore, Volvo’s future models which feature autonomous functions will not be configured to allow them to operate in an urban environment without driver assistance. The same will probably happen on winding roads.
Instead, Volvo wants to help drivers avoid tedious and tiresome highway commuting, which can be made safer without ruining driving fun.
The solution proposed by the Swedish brand is not new in the industry, as many automakers have considered providing self-driving functions on highways first, leaving winding country roads for humans to drive without steering and braking assist systems.
We would like to note that some automakers are considering systems which allow drivers to go from home to their office and back for their city commuting, and that we do not see anything wrong with those ideas, as long as the systems work flawlessly.
In an interview with the Brits at Autocar, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson explained that typical consumers do not dream of getting into their vehicle at point A, in the city, and then arriving at their destination without driving at all. Volvo’s boss also reaffirmed the company’s determination to stand behind its autonomous driving system and take full responsibility if it malfunctions.
Volvo’s representatives are entirely firm on the subject, and they believe that a company must be prepared to answer if their autonomous driving systems do not operate as intended or advertised.
At this point, you don't have to be an expert in the automotive industry to link the statements made by Volvo officials with an index finger pointed at Tesla Motors and its Autopilot system. The latter was offered to customers as a product in “beta testing,” and customers were reminded that it is still their responsibility to drive the vehicle.
Google News