Self-drive 'convoy' hits the road

Self-drive 'convoy' hits the road

A three-car self-drive convoy is being tested on a public road in Spain for the first time, raising hopes of a new era of relaxed driving. (2 предложения по-русски)

Imagine cruising down a three-lane highway and rounding a bend to find four trucks rolling along in single-file. They are all traveling close together – perhaps too close – but, otherwise, everything seems normal.

Yet, as you pass the trailing truck, you look up through the sun roof to see the driver on a mobile phone. He should know better, you think, as you slide by. You passing the next one, the driver appears to be sipping a cup of coffee and you couldswear that he’s watching TV. That can’t be right, but you power on regardless. Then, (you) coming alongside the third, there seems to be no driver at all. You must be mistaken, you tell yourself, as the truck stays in lane and otherwise rides as per usual.

By the time you glance up at the lead truck, you glimpse a driver concentrating on the road. Perhaps, your mind was playing tricks on you.

Or maybe not. In February this year, a similar line-up of four large trucks circled an oval test track in Tsukuba City, Japan, to help get so-called “truck platooning” technology ready for real-world use.

This technology aims to create semi-autonomous road trains, where convoys of vehicles enter a snaking train of vehicles under the command of the lead vehicle. The drivers of the “drones” are then free to do whatever they like – read a book, take a nap or just sit. When they are ready to leave, the driver takes back control and exits the train. In theory the technology offers several benefits, such as cutting down on accidents and improving fuel efficiency.

“We think that this new technology can also lead to a reduction in the amount of road space used by vehicles, which would help to reduce traffic congestion,” says Nobuo Iwai, senior researcher on the project. In fact, some estimates suggest it could double the capacity of existing highways. (2000)

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