Audi Likely to Seek Exemption to Sell Self-Driving Car Tech

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit says it is likely to seek an exemption in Europe to allow it to begin selling cars four months from now with the ability to drive themselves in slow-moving traffic.

Audi’s Traffic Jam Pilot system is ready to debut in the new A8 large sedan in December. But the company tells Automotive News Europe that pass laws or regulations allowing such technology on public roads aren’t likely by then.

The company’s technology is a so-called Level 3 system, which is able to perform all aspects of driving for prolonged periods. But Level 3 systems also assume a human driver will be available to take over at any time if the system requests it.

In Europe, automated driving systems are allowed under United Nations Regulation 79 to do no more than control hands-off steering during automated parking. ANE notes that the regulation will be expanded in a few months, but only to allow brief automated lane-change maneuvers that are initiated by a human driver.

Germany may become the first country to permit a Level 3 system. In June the country legalized in principle the use of Level 3 and 4 systems—which still require a backup licensed driver on board—pending the allowance under Regulation 79 to do so.

Regulators in the U.S. and China have issued advisories but neither has passed laws that would allow advanced autonomous vehicles on public roads.