Audi Demonstrates Self-Driving Car at 142 mph

Audi AG showed off its automatic driving system on Saturday at Germany's Hockenheim race track in an RS 7 car the company says hit speeds of 230 kph while conducting a hot lap with no one aboard.

The 560-hp car's self-driving system assessed the track and optimum driving line solely through a pair of forward-looking cameras and an ultra-precise GPS system with help from a trunk full of computers. Audi says the car pulled more than 1.0G of lateral acceleration in curves.

The car's modified GPS system can locate the vehicle within one centimeter. The car also compares its 3-D camera images in real time against graphical data stored on board. Audi notes that its development program focused on self-driving capabilities at the physical limits of the vehicle.

The company, which describes its system as "piloted driving," envisions a production version assisting but not replacing the driver. Earlier this month Audi demonstrated the technology for reporters with a test pilot aboard, just in case.