Audi’s self-driving RS 7 hits the racetrack this weekend (video)
Audi, who’s long been toying with the idea of building self-driving cars, has upgraded one of its RS 7 sedans to build an autonomous concept vehicle for those who like to ride fast. The prototype looks pretty much like a production version RS 7, except its steering wheel, brakes, throttle valve and other components are all controlled by a self-driving system. This system uses GPS (for orientation), radio signals and a 3D camera (which takes pictures used for additional positioning information) to drive the car around a race track. You read that right: the upgraded RS 7’s nothing like Google’s wholesome bug-like car meant for ordinary people and everyday driving.
http://www.engadget.com/embed-5min/?sid=577&playList=518467389&responsive=false
No, it was made for race tracks and Fast and Furious movies, that’s why the company’s demonstrating what it can do on the Hockenheimring, a motor-racing circuit in Germany, on October 17th and 19th. The car will do one lap around the track — where Audi’s expecting it to reach a top speed of 149.1 mph and to finish in 2 minutes and 10 seconds — on both days completely driverless. This isn’t the first time Audi’s sending an autonomous car to conquer a race track, though: back in 2010, a driverless Audi TTS Coupe successfully climbed Colorado’s Pikes Peak mountain race circuit within 27 minutes.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Autoblog
Source: Audi
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