Why is that Volvo driver reading the paper behind the wheel?
Ah, we must be in Gothenburg, Sweden and that must be one of the 100 XC90s being used in the Drive Me trials, the biggest test yet of self-driving cars.
In Gothenburg, 30 miles of roads are being given over to test out self-driving cars and Volvo has fitted 100 of its XC90s with a new 'IntelliSafe Auto Pilot.' When it's coming up to a self-driving area, the car flashes lights to let the driver know and then, to make the car drive itself, the driver pulls both of the gearshift paddles at the same time. Then when coming to the end of the self-driving area, the car gives a countdown (for one minute) and then stops the car if the driver doesn't take control again. All very high tech and all very safe.
Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President of Design at Volvo Cars, said: "We have designed a user interface that is safe and seamless to use so that drivers can confidently transfer and regain control of the car."
Neil Briscoe - 6 Oct 2015