CES 2013 Audi and Toyota present their future autonomous cars

With large sensors on its roof, the battery of sensors and cameras to the front, exposed by Toyota Lexus sedan in the electronics sector annual exhibition CES in Las Vegas, does not go unnoticed. From its appearance, the impressive Lexus LS looks more like a prototype out of a lab at the autonomous car designed by Google - based on Toyota Prius - that we often see on Highway 101 between San Mateo and Mountain View. Like her, the Japanese prototype "may lead alone," said Jim Pisz, an official of Toyota in the United States, "but we do not let him do it." Google cars, that we often encountered on the 101, had always a person behind the wheel (see illustration below).

                    Toyota has unveiled a prototype car "without a driver" at CES 2013


Lexus "autonomous" Toyota flows only in the research centers of the Japanese brand as the Internet giant has obtained permission to use the vehicle on the road in three U.S. states. "The technology is very similar to Google," with the use of radar and laser, but the goals are different, notes Mr. Pisz: Group seeks to improve its internet mapping software, Toyota studying technologies to improve the safety of its cars.

 Computers roller Audi and Toyota

 Electronics has been at the heart of innovation in recent years in the automotive sector, for adding a bunch of automated vehicles, already present especially on the high-end. Radars and anti-collision warning, assistance to the parking, speed, braking lights or "smart" ... "Today's cars are rolling computers," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, board member responsible for technical development at Audi. The German automaker showed at CES in a simulator, a system akin to an autopilot that has installed in cars testing, TT. "It helps the driver in situations where driving is boring," says Ulrich Hofmann involved in the development of control systems for Audi.

After years of testing, the famous Google is now allowed to run in three states. Photo credit Raphael Henry


In traffic Highway, or when there are not too many traffic lights for example. Simply press a button on the steering wheel so that the car starts to drive alone. It automatically adjusts its speed to that which precedes and remains in the file following the markings. Meanwhile, the driver can read emails or make a video call ... But the driving range is relative, since it can change lanes without a manual movement of the driver. The system relies on a series of sensors to assess the environment. It is able to alert the driver when the autopilot is safer and asked to take the wheel.

 Ford launched its research

 The vehicle had attracted more independent manufacturers such as Ford before the firm does not stop his research there are five or six years. The prospect of a car without a driver "seemed too far away, it did not make sense to work over big teams," said Pim van der Jagt working in a research center of the American group. But things have changed. Ford has revived research on vehicle range since Google is interested in the project.

Audi TT Autonomous swallow Nevada miles to validate the technology from the German manufacturer


However, Toyota says the car without driver will not be on the market in the near future. Same story at Audi, where it is conceded that there is much legal issues to resolve. But assisted steering system uses equipment "that are already in series production, or are close" and could come on the market "within 5-8 years," says Hofmann. Wolfgang Dürheimer for its part considers that Japan could be the first country to pave the way for autonomous vehicle.