The next Audi A8 will feature a fully autonomous function once it hits the market in 2017 according to the latest reports.
This will be an updated version of the brand’s existing Traffic Jam Assist system which will operate the new A8 at speeds up to 60km/h (37mph) in heavy traffic conditions without requiring any kind of input from the driver.
Audi’s new flagship will also offer a fully automated Park Assist function which will park the car on its own with the driver out of the car, controlling it via a smartphone app. Autocar reports that the company is willing to take liability for any incidents when the car is in its autonomous driving mode, with the driver still to be responsible for the car in its other manual and semi-autonomous modes.
The autonomous system will also use a camera to monitor the driver and if necessary, will drive the car off the road and to a full stop. This fail-safe feature will be triggered in various scenarios, including if the driver climbs out of his seat or if he’s feeling ill. “It can recognize health problems, try to alert the driver and – if they don’t respond – pull the car over and alert the emergency services,” a source told the British magazine.
It’s also said that Audi has developed a new screen system to support the new autonomous features in collaboration with aviation experts to help the driver clearly identify when the car is driving itself.
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