Volvo to Put Autonomous Driving at Drivers' Fingertips

Volvo Car Co. will begin pilot testing autonomous driving functionality in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2017. Pre-selected owners of 100 new XC90 crossover vehicles will participate in the company's Drive Me project for two years. Volvo's goal is to commercialize the technology by 2020.

In addition to an array of cameras and sensors that enable autonomous driving, the prototype vehicles will include Volvo's IntelliSafe Auto Pilot interface. Lights on two steering wheel-mounted paddles will flash to alert motorists as they approach roads approved for autonomous driving these roads (initially covering about 30 miles in and around Gothenburg) also will be highlighted when routes are programmed into the vehicle's navigation system.

The autonomous mode is activated when a driver presses both paddles simultaneously. The lights turn green to confirm the vehicle is in self-driving mode.

The driver resumes manual operation by pressing the two paddles again. Flashing lights alert drivers to take control as they come to the end of an autonomous driving section. If they fail to do so within 60 seconds, the vehicle automatically comes to a complete stop.