Volkswagen has shown a car fitted with its in-development Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) system, writes Brian Byrne, which allows the vehicle to be driven semi-automatically at speeds of up to 130km/h.
The system bundles together a number of already available technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping.
In the semi-automatic driving mode—referred to as Pilot Mode—TAP maintains a safe distance to the vehicle ahead, drives at a speed selected by the driver, reduces this speed as necessary before a bend, and maintains the vehicle’s central position with respect to lane markers. The system also observes overtaking rules and speed limits. Stop and start driving manoeuvres in traffic jams are also automated.
The driver must, however, stay focused on what is happening, and the system monitors that this is done.
The system was presented at the EU research project HAVEit (Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport) event in Sweden.
