Stellantis has unveiled their first Level 3 autonomous driving system, dubbed STLA AutoDrive, which automotive giant says is completely developed in-house.
Capable of Hands-Free and Eyes-Off (SAE Level 3 vehicle autonomy) functionalities, STLA AutoDrive-equipped vehicles are able to commute around dense urban areas at speeds of up to 60 km/h while drivers temporarily shift their focus to handle other minor tasks.
“By handling routine driving tasks, STLA AutoDrive will enhance the driving experience, making time behind the wheel more efficient and enjoyable,” says Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Ned Curic.
According to Stellantis’ statement, the STLA AutoDrive is made to be simple. The system is only eligible when certain traffic and environmental conditions are met. Once aligned, a press of a physical button will engage the system, which will allow any Stellantis vehicle equipped with the system to take control of speed, braking, acceleration, steering, and maintaining safe distances based on traffic flow.
Additionally, STLA AutoDrive continuously monitors the car’s surroundings by using an advanced set of sensors to adapt to the current traffic situation accordingly. As the system is cloud-connected, over-the-air (OTA) updates and real-time data integration can be sent and received to optimize the feature’s performance.
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Stellantis says the STLA AutoDrive system will be available across the various brands under its portfolio. Press pictures provided by Stellantis depict a Jeep Wagoneer equipped with the system.
Stellantis’ press release says that it is ready for deployment and can be adapted for Stellantis-branded vehicles globally, however a spokesperson told The Verge that it won’t be launching the feature quite yet, citing market and regulatory hurdles. The company also won’t disclose which models will be getting the partial autonomous driving system first.
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