Hands-Free Driving

03/06/2011

You may remember that some time ago we reported on Google's driver-less car. Well, it seems that more and more companies are taking this technology seriously.

Senior executives at Volvo claim that cars that almost drive themselves will be cruising around Europe by the end of the decade. Using WiFi signals to regulate speed and direction, prompted by a "lead car", with a multitude of other cars following (and the driver able to take their hands of the wheel and, theoretically, read a newspaper), the aim would be to cut carbon emissions by up to a fifth of current levels. The concept resembles a kind of ‘train’ of cars, and, indeed, Volvo is using the term "road trains" to describe its vision.

Tests have already been completed on a closed track in January of this year.

Back to car news