Volvo Leads Convoy of Self-Driving Cars

According to Volvo, these self-driving cars will give drivers the chance to relax while commuting. We can see the appeal in that, but we'd also miss driving.

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elf-driving cars are moving one step closer to reality, now that Volvo has completed a 125-mile test involving a convoy of the contraptions.

Three cars and one truck took to a Spanish highway, all linked together wirelessly. A professional driver led the way, and the self-driving cars mimicked the lead car's behavior.

This could be the future of commuting.

Volvo developed the test, which was part of a research project carried out by the European Commission named Safe Road Trains For The Environment—or Sartre.

According to Volvo, these self-driving cars will give drivers the chance to relax while commuting. We can see the appeal in that, but we'd also miss driving.

The cars comes fitted with cameras, laser sensors, and radar, and these features monitor the lead car and other nearby vehicles. Wireless communications keep the cars in contact with the lead vehicle. The convoy traveled at speeds of 52 miles per hour with a separation of just 19 feet between each vehicle.

Pretty soon, it may actually be OK to text and drive, since you won't actually be driving.

[Source: BBC]