Audi A7

Automobile manufacturer Audi is set to conduct a 550-mile test drive of the Audi A7 piloted driving concept car from Silicon Valley, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, US.

Audi board member and head of technical development Dr Ulrich Hackenberg said: "The test drive from the west coast of California to Las Vegas demonstrates our leadership role in piloted driving."

According to the German company, the test drive beginning in Stanford, California, in real-world traffic and road conditions, represents a joint effort by the Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) und Volkswagen Group Research and Development.

"The test drive from the west coast of California to Las Vegas demonstrates our leadership role in piloted driving."

Driving approximately 900km, the Audi A7 piloted driving concept uses the technologically advanced systems and relieves the driver of driving duties, speeding between 0mph to 70mph.

The car, which has been named ‘Jack’, can initiate lane changes and passing manoeuvres and uses a combination of various sensors, many of which are close to production ready.

The long-range radar sensors of the adaptive cruise control (ACC) and the Audi side assist (ASA) keep an eye on the front and rear of the vehicle, while two mid-range radar sensors at the front and rear respectively are aimed to the right and left to complete the 360° view.

Audi A7 is integrated with a new high-resolution 3D video camera and takes a wide-angle view out in front of the vehicle, in addition to four small front and rear-mounted cameras that view closer surroundings.

The driver is requested to take control of the vehicle to ensure proper safety before the piloted driving system reaches its limitations.

Coloured LEDs at the base of the windshield, signals in the driver information display, a central status indicator (CSI) and an acoustic warning indicator requires the driver to retake control.

The system activates the hazard lights and brings the car to a full stop if the driver ignores the signals.

Image: Start of the 550-mile piloted drive from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas. Photo: courtesy of Audi.