Leveraging Production Model Technology

Following a 100-mile autonomous drive on a test course in Arizona, Audi conducted a long-distance test drive of over 550 miles (approximately 885 km) with the "A7 Sportback Autonomous Driving Concept Car," traveling from near Stanford, California, to the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2015 venue in Las Vegas, Nevada. The car successfully reached its destination, showcasing Audi's technological prowess in automated driving at the event.

The autonomous driving concept car, based on the "A7 Sportback," is affectionately nicknamed "Jack" by the development team. This test was conducted in collaboration with the Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) and the Volkswagen Group's technology development division, representing a comprehensive demonstration of the Volkswagen Group's collective capabilities.

The A7 Sportback Autonomous Driving Concept Car is equipped with long-range radar sensors for Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Audi Side Assist (ASA), as well as mid-range radar sensors for 360-degree front and rear views. Laser scanners are also integrated into the grille and rear bumper skirt to provide information about obstacles during autonomous driving.

In essence, "Jack" possesses comprehensive "eyes" capable of all-around perception, enabling it to independently judge and execute acceleration, deceleration, lane changes, and even overtaking. When changing lanes or overtaking, it adjusts its speed to match surrounding vehicles, and if deemed safe based on distance and speed, "Jack" precisely executes the lane change and completes the overtake. Consequently, drivers are freed from the need to operate the vehicle at speeds up to 70 mph (approximately 110 km/h).

Autonomous Driving in Cooperation with Humans

Furthermore, if the autonomous driving system reaches its limits in situations with heavy traffic or numerous pedestrians, such as in urban areas, "Jack" will prompt the driver to take control by activating LED signals on the front windshield, displaying messages on the driver information display, and emitting audible warnings for safety. If the driver ignores these warnings, "Jack" will activate the hazard lights and bring the vehicle to a stop.

While Mercedes-Benz conducted an automated driving demonstration test of approximately 100 km on public roads in Germany in 2013, this North American test significantly surpasses that distance, underscoring the early start of the supremacy battle among automakers in this field. The era is fast approaching where drivers can delegate tedious tasks like navigating "traffic jams" or using their smartphones, or even the hassle of "parking," to the car, choosing instead to focus on the enjoyment of driving.

Latest Technologies Beyond Autonomous Driving on Display

In addition to autonomous driving technology, Audi also presented new infotainment systems at CES 2015, exemplified by the "Audi Tablet" which doubles as a multimedia control panel. Other highlights included new wireless communication systems for easily connecting user mobile devices to the vehicle, a 3D sound system delivering the immersive experience of a concert hall, automatic parking, wireless charging technology, and laser matrix light technology that illuminates up to several tens of meters ahead safely.

Furthermore, the interior design of the new Audi "Q7," scheduled for release this year, made its world premiere at CES 2015. The new Q7 features an all-in-touch MMI system that allows for smartphone-like scrolling and zooming, enabling the navigation system to instantly display a route simply by stating a destination, such as "the nearest Italian restaurant." It also incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, highlighting its advanced capabilities and showcasing cutting-edge driver support technologies to the world.