Audi, Toyota to Unveil Self-Driving Cars at CES

Audi AG and Toyota Motor Corp. confirm they will use next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to reveal test vehicles that can drive themselves, The Wall Street Journal reports.

In a short promotional video, Toyota shows its self-driving Lexus LS 660h AASRV car with a roof-mounted laser scanner like the one Google Inc. has been using on its own autonomous test vehicles since 2009.

Toyota tells the Journal that its test car also is fitted with radar and camera that can monitor surrounding traffic, read road signs and track lane markings. Audi says its car has the ability to find a parking spot and maneuver into it without driver aid.

The Journal points out that several carmakers are introducing technologies, such as adaptive cruise control and self-steering/self-braking systems, that could be integrated to create fully autonomous vehicles.

Proponents say self-driving vehicles, especially those that automatically communicate with each other, could ease traffic congestion. Safety experts add that cars capable of guiding themselves also may be a practical solution for drivers who insist on sending text messages while behind the wheel.