2 March 2015

Volvo to trial self-drive SUVs

While Volvo's new XC90 will be available to its first buyers shortly, the company is planning 100 special variants to go on the roads next year, writes Brian Byrne.

They'll be self-driving vehicles, and will be used in a controlled section of highway 50kms long near Gothenberg. They will be occupied by ordinary motorists, but will operate autonomously on the route, which will divided from other lanes by a barrier.

The test will run until 2019, according to Volvo. The cars will be leased to the motorists taking part in the project. They will be used normally when off the controlled route.