A few states in the Union allow automakers to test autonomous cars on the roads, and one of those states is Nevada. Kia has announced that it has obtained a license for autonomous car testing in Nevada. The testing will use a Kia Soul EV fitted with hardware needed for the car to drive itself.
Kia has ambitious plans for the future of autonomous driving. The company aims to introduce partially autonomous cars by 2020 and fully autonomous cars by 2030. To achieve these goals, Kia will invest a substantial $2 billion into its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) by 2018. This significant investment is aimed at ensuring the system is ready for primetime and can compete with other major players in the industry.
Investment in Advanced Driver Assistance System
Part of that major investment will be to get more engineers to work on the autonomous driving system. The ADAS system will feature some tech already in use at Kia and other tech including Traffic Jam Assist, Highway Autonomous Driving, Urban Autonomous Driving, and Autonomous Valet Parking. All of those features will be able to be turned off if the driver wants and are expected to come to market by 2020.
Traffic Jam Assist, for example, will help drivers navigate through congested traffic by maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead and staying within the lane. Highway Autonomous Driving will allow the car to drive itself on highways, making long-distance travel more comfortable and less tiring for drivers. Urban Autonomous Driving will be designed to handle the complexities of city driving, including navigating through intersections and avoiding pedestrians. Autonomous Valet Parking will enable the car to park itself, which can be particularly useful in crowded urban areas where parking spaces are limited.
Global Competition in Autonomous Driving
Kia is not alone in testing on public roads. Google, now known as Waymo, also plans to have autonomous car tech on the roads by 2020. Waymo has been a pioneer in the field of autonomous driving, with its self-driving cars having logged millions of miles on public roads. Other major automakers like Tesla, General Motors, and Ford are also heavily investing in autonomous driving technology. Tesla’s Autopilot system, for instance, already offers a range of semi-autonomous features, and the company is continuously working on improving its capabilities.
The competition in the autonomous driving space is fierce, with companies racing to be the first to bring fully autonomous cars to market. This competition is driving rapid advancements in technology, making autonomous driving a reality sooner than many had anticipated. However, there are still significant challenges to overcome, including regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and the need for robust infrastructure to support autonomous vehicles.
Kia’s efforts in this space are part of a broader trend towards increased automation in the automotive industry. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more and more cars equipped with autonomous driving features. These advancements have the potential to significantly improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and make driving more convenient and enjoyable.
In conclusion, Kia’s license to test autonomous cars in Nevada marks an important step forward in the company’s journey towards bringing autonomous driving technology to market. With a substantial investment in its Advanced Driver Assistance System and a clear roadmap for the future, Kia is well-positioned to be a major player in the autonomous driving space. As the competition heats up, it will be interesting to see how Kia’s technology stacks up against that of other major players in the industry.
via AutoEvolution
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
