Many automakers have been working hard developing the hardware and software needed to make cars that can drive themselves, perhaps none so visibly as Volvo. The Swedish automaker plans to release a fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles to real-world drivers in in Gothenburg in 2017.
Volvo also understands that in order to make self-driving vehicles a reality in other parts of the world, it is vital to have collaboration between all stake-holding parties. Volvo has arranged visits with legislators in Washington D.C., and more recently found itself debating the topic at the Swedish Parliament.
"Bringing the people on board who are responsible for liability issues, legislation issues, infrastructure -- that is, the road conditions -- they should be involved in the project, so that we can really create a system that works together in society," says President and CEO of Volvo Cars, Hakan Samuelsson.
The importance of having infrastructure management on the same page as automakers has been driven home in recent years, as several self-driving concepts have suffered embarrassing failures on roads with faded lane marking paint, and non-standard road signs.
Fully self-driving vehicles that allow you to cruise along the streets of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Rockford, and Allendale with no hands may take years to become a reality. Until then, browse our new inventory for luxurious European vehicles with semi-autonomous features like automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning.