The SARTRE project - The end of driving?

Tallon

Really not sure this will become the 'future'

I remember seeing something like this before a few years ago, and the consensus then was, this would be a separate, dedicated lane on a motorway where people could merge and take it easy for a while

I personally, LOVE driving, and love being in full control of the car. I also don't mind traffic at all so this in no way appeals to me

Thoughts, opinions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v26OZtpbPk

The SARTRE project (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) - with Volvo Car Corporation as the only participating car manufacturer - has successfully completed the first test demonstrations of a multiple vehicle platoon.

See more at http://thaiautomaxx-reloaded.blogspot.com/2012/01/volvo-part-of-successful-road-train.html

GOTHENBURG : January 24, 2012 - The SARTRE project (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) - with Volvo Car Corporation as the only participating car manufacturer - has successfully completed the first test demonstrations of a multiple vehicle platoon.

The test fleet included a lead truck followed by three cars driven entirely autonomously at speeds of up to 90 km/h - with no more than 6 metres gap between the vehicles.

"The aim is for the entire road train to be completed in autumn 2012. By then we will have four vehicles after one lead vehicle driving at 90 km/h," says Erik Coelingh, technical project manager at the Volvo Car Corporation.

The SARTRE project is being driven by seven European partners and is the only one of its kind to focus on the development of technology that can be implemented on conventional highways in which platooned traffic operates in a mixed environment with other road users.

bijapos

Like most developments in science and technology its fascinating but not necessarily practical. It has advantages in fuel consumption and if it ever takes off full time, it can revolutionise the way cars are designed from the ground up.

I remember it being first mooted a few years ago for truck drivers, the main advantage being that it would save a lot of fuel due to other trucks following in a wind tunnel effect. The main disadvantage is if the first car/truck makes a sudden manouvere and the following driver is reading or asleep, the consequences of a major accident could be catastrophic.

Cars are already moving away from people, but the only solution realistically is to have evry car self driven and monitiored by GPS. Although this will be a technical possibility in a few years, it wont be possible practically for deacdes.

Either way there will always be a place for real drivers driving real cars in the real world, although the SARTRE experiment is fascinating it will never be able to take over 100%.

johnos1984

Will it be programmed to automatically drive in the overtaking lane for Irish customers?