JLR Shows Selfie Technologies

Jaguar Land Rover is developing a pair of autonomous driving systems the company says could be launched in production vehicles in the next few years. The company demonstrated the self-driving systems this week in specially equipped versions of its Range Rover Sport SUV.

Land Rover is developing remote control technologies.

One of the features is a remote-control smartphone app that drivers can use to pilot their vehicle from as far as 33 feet away. The system controls a vehicle's steering, braking and throttle limiting speed to 4 mph to help drivers make tight maneuvers. Future versions will allow motorists to control vehicles by voice commands, according to JLR.

The application, which works only if the vehicle's smart key is detected, can switch between low- and high-four-wheel-drive settings. JLR envisions drivers using it to safely traverse off-road terrain and around obstacles, make sharp low-speed turns or moving their vehicles in and out of parking spaces too narrow to allow the doors to open.

The company also showed a prototype system that can autonomously execute a 180 turn. Using a variety of available vehicle sensors, the system assesses available space, then automatically steers the vehicle forward and backward, making as many turns as necessary to complete the maneuver.

The system can identify and avoid objects in the vehicle's path, including pedestrians and other vehicles. JLR says it also is developing a more advanced option that determines if a maneuver is feasible without any safety risks based on the surrounding environment, and doesn't execute a command until conditions allow success.

JLR says its goal is to give drivers a choice between fully engaged and autonomous modes that would enhance safety and eliminate the "tedious" parts of driving. The company is working on an array of new sensors and other "solo car" technologies that would enable a vehicle to drive itself in any environment.