Jeep is Testing Autonomous Off-Road Driving Tech, But Why?
We forgive you if you didn’t know that today is National Autonomous Vehicle Day in the U.S. Jeep used the occasion to provide a glimpse of its future-generation, off-road driving technology.
Say what? An autonomous Jeep? Yeah, we don’t really get it, either. Jeep owners who like to venture away from the pavement do it for the thrills they get behind the wheel and the control they have over the vehicle. Tackling a sketchy trail, climbing rocky hills and crossing muddy terrain are all exhilarating and rewarding challenges.
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Anyway, a team of researchers and engineers led by Neda Cvijetic, head of AI & autonomous driving at Stellantis, recently tested the latest prototypes of automated off-road driving technology being exclusively developed for the Jeep brand.
As you can see in the short video above, a pair of Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid models were used for these tests. In the world-renowned playground that is Moab, Utah, they had to overcome various obstacles whether in the dirt, sand or rocks.
According to Jeep, its autonomous off-road driving technology “can enhance the experiences of seasoned off-roaders, as well of customers who are new to driving the trail.” It will also help drivers in challenging everyday conditions. Of course, they will always have the ability to turn it on or off at any given time, much like other driver assistance features.
“These advanced off-road driving systems will help more customers in more countries around world join and enjoy the adventure,” said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. “These features and technology will have real-life applications on and off the trail in a wide range of driving conditions.”
Jeep will share a full video in the summer, so stay tuned. In the meantime, how do you feel about an SUV that can drive itself off the road? Hit us with your comments below.