Published

Uber, Volvo Unveil “Production-Ready” Autonomous Car

Volvo Car Corp. and ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc. took the wraps off the latest version of their jointly developed prototype self-driving vehicle.

Share

Volvo Car Corp. and ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies Inc. took the wraps off the latest version of their jointly developed prototype self-driving vehicle.

The partners claim the modified Volvo XC90 SUV is the first model—with original-equipment wiring and harnessing—capable of fully driving itself. The vehicle features a roof-mounted sensor array, Uber’s control technology and backup devices are built into the braking, steering and battery systems.

Uber aims to begin testing the vehicles on public roads next year. The company will continue to test earlier self-driving XC90s that have been developed with Volvo over the last three years.

Volvo also aims to launch its own self-driving technology early next decade. These models will use the company’s SPA2 platform, which is being designed to accommodate autonomous driving on highways and other select roads.

Volvo anticipates that one-third of all new passenger vehicles produced will be fully autonomous by about 2025. This is a much more ambitious timeline than other industry forecasts for the technology.

Watch a video about the new Uber-Volvo vehicle HERE.

RELATED CONTENT

  • We Can’t Unwatch this McLaren

    While we generally can’t say enough (which brings us close to saying much, much too much) about McLaren Automotive design and its exquisite use of materials, this week the company launched a product that is something we wish we didn’t see: That’s the RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph, which the company debuted at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show.

  • Choosing the Right Fasteners for Automotive

    PennEngineering makes hundreds of different fasteners for the automotive industry with standard and custom products as well as automated assembly solutions. Discover how they’re used and how to select the right one. (Sponsored Content)

  • Mustang Changes for 2018

    On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions