2013 is finally starting to look like the future we were all promised (although no jetpacks yet).
Audi is testing a new auto-pilot system that lets its cars drive themselves in traffic jams and other slow traffic. They can also park themselves in a parking garage, as the video above shows. All you need to do is activate the car on your smartphone and it will come to life, drive itself through the garage and precision-park itself in an empty space. When you’re ready to go again, you can hail the car on your smartphone and it will drive itself back to you.
The auto-pilot relies on a series of cameras, ultrasound sensors and lasers to “see” its surroundings. In traffic under 60 km/h, you can even let the car take over entirely. This would be particularly useful in traffic jams. When things get going again, your Audi will prompt you to take the wheel again.
Audi is currently testing the technology in Ingolstadt, Germany. Although this is a far cry from Google’s driver-less cars, it’s hard not to get giddy about where automobile technology is headed — not that any of us will be able to afford these cars.
video: YouCarPress/YouTube via ViralViralVideos
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