The Upcoming Electric SUV from Volvo Will Feature Autonomous Technology Allowing Hands-Free, Eyes-Off Driving

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By Car Brand Experts

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Over the past decade, there has been much talk surrounding self-driving technologies. Despite this, current systems mostly necessitate human oversight, failing to live up to the vision of a fully autonomous vehicle. Car manufacturers are slowly starting to venture into this realm, with Volvo aspiring to be among the leaders. They have introduced a self-driving system named Ride Pilot that aims to operate autonomously without supervision, set to launch on Volvo’s forthcoming electric SUV later this year. 

Volvo’s Ride Pilot system is anticipated to achieve Level 3 autonomy, enabling the vehicle to drive hands-free and eyes-off specifically in highway conditions. Drivers will have the freedom to let the car take over without needing to focus on the road ahead for potential hazards, distinguishing it from existing systems such as Tesla’s Autopilot.

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Volvo has been conducting trials on a fleet of self-driving vehicles in collaboration with DiDi. , Volvo

Emphasizing this crucial distinction, Volvo stated that “The name ‘Ride Pilot’ hints at what the driver can anticipate: Volvo Cars assumes control of the driving when the car operates independently, offering the driver ease and assurance.” Hence, when activated, drivers are at liberty to engage in activities like “reading, writing, working, or socializing” while on the move, as per Volvo. The system will function within highway driving scenarios.

The system makes use of an array of sensors, including the Iris LIDAR sensor from Luminar, tailored for cost-effective automotive purposes. Additionally, there are five radars, sixteen ultrasonic sensors, and eight cameras collectively assisting in the autonomous operation. The goal is to ensure a high level of redundancy and perception to enable safe, attention-free self-driving for the vehicle. 

Volvo has placed significant emphasis on testing, aiming to validate the system’s safety and secure all requisite regulatory approvals before implementing the technology in California. Subsequently, the system will be progressively introduced in various markets worldwide. 

Ride Pilot will be accessible as an “additional subscription” on Volvo’s upcoming flagship all-electric SUV, slated for release later in 2022. Reflecting current trends, the system will be updated over-the-air to maintain its functionality and enhance performance over time. 

In essence, Level 3 autonomy represents the basic threshold for delivering what the general populace envisions as a self-driving car, where the driver is relieved of the need to focus on driving tasks. Although Volvo may not be the first on the market, as the Honda Legend has already achieved this feat, with the ability to self-drive in traffic congestion. Expect other players to swiftly unveil their own systems in the near future. The era of practical autonomy may soon be upon us, at least on highways for now.  

Have a tip to share? Drop a line to the author at: lewin@thedrive.com

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