Filed under: CES, Technology, Audi



A mere eight months after Nevada first licensed Google to test autonomous vehicles on its public roads, the state has granted Audi a permit as well. Including automotive supplier Continental, licensed just last month, brings the total of licensed companies to three (Audi will be recognized as being the first automotive original equipment manufacturer to obtain the special license).

Audi is no stranger to autonomous technology, as it was the automaker's TT research car, developed with the Volkswagen Group ERL and Stanford University, which autonomously completed the 12.42-mile Pikes Peak climb in just 27 minutes in late 2010.

While Audi's next autonomous research car, reportedly an A7, won't be climbing mountains it will be capable of "piloted" parking and driving. The automaker is discussing an autopilot-like system at CES this year. The envisioned system would see operators allowing the vehicle to handle mundane or challenging tasks (like stop-and-go driving or parking in tight spots), while still letting the human take control when needed.

Like the vehicles from Google and Continental, it is expected that Audi's autonomous cars will be identified with a special red license plate bearing an infinity sign.Continue reading Nevada grants Audi third license to operate autonomous vehicles

Nevada grants Audi third license to operate autonomous vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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