Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated a range of innovative technologies that would enable future autonomous cars to drive on any terrain or surface.

Autonomous All-Terrain Driving, a multi-million pound research project funded by Jaguar Land Rover, aims to deliver driverless cars that are all weather proof and capable of handling both on and off-road driving conditions.

Jaguar Land Rover head of research Tony Harper said: "Our all-terrain autonomy research isn’t just about the car driving itself on a motorway or in extreme off-road situations.

"It’s about helping both the driven and autonomous car make their way safely through any terrain or driving situation."

To enable an advanced level of autonomous all-terrain capability, Jaguar Land Rover’s researchers are developing next-generation sensing technologies.

"The advanced sensing will ultimately give a vehicle the high levels of artificial intelligence required for the car to think for itself."

As sensors are active and can see better than the driver, the advanced sensing will ultimately give a vehicle the high levels of artificial intelligence required for the car to think for itself and plan the route it should take, on any surface, the company noted.

A key aspect of all-terrain autonomous driving is the ability for vehicles to communicate with each other, especially if they are out of sight around a bend or on the other side of an off-road obstacle.

Under the off-road demonstration, Jaguar Land Rover has connected two Range Rover Sports together using dedicated short range communications technology to create an off road connected convoy.

This wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications system shares information including vehicle location, wheel-slip, changes to suspension height and wheel articulation instantly between the two vehicles.

Image: Autonomous cars in use. Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover Limited.