World first driverless initiative launched

About 100 families will test fully autonomous vehicles on public roads in Sweden under a world first driverless initiative launched this week.

The first two families from the Gothenburg area have received specially equipped Volvo XC90 SUVs for the Drive Me project. Three more families will follow early next year, and over the next four years up to 100 people will be involved.

The families will provide data to Drive Me, allowing engineers to monitor their everyday use and interaction with the car, as they drive to work, take the children to school or go shopping.

The human-centric trial is unique as it involves families driving in a real world environment, Volvo NZ general manager Coby Duggan says.

“The Drive Me project is a significant milestone in the development of autonomous driving technology that will one day help make roads safer,” he says.

Duggan says Volvo expects to have a fully autonomous car commercially available by 2021. Data collected in the Drive Me trial will play a crucial role in the development of these vehicles.

“We get the chance to be part of developing technology that will one day save lives,” Alex Hain says as one of the first to be involved.

Drive Me will involve real customers testing different stages of driver assistance and eventually fully autonomous technology.

During the first stages, the families will keep their hands on the steering wheel and supervise the driving at all times when using their cars. Then all participants will gradually be introduced to more advanced levels of assisted driving, after receiving special training.

Even then, testing these more advanced cars will initially take place in controlled environments with supervision from a Volvo safety expert.