iCar
Taking the strain out of driving
Stop-and-go on the freeway. Among the cars in this heavy traffic is a Passat Variant which does not look any different from its “brothers”, but is in fact something very special. The researchers at Volkswagen call this particular car the “iCar” – Intelligent Car – and it was developed to identify driving situations where automated processes could meaningfully assist drivers. Autonomous driving is already possible, as has been confirmed by research vehicles such as Stanley, Junior and GTI 53+1, some of which have already been honored for their prestigious achievements. However, unlike autonomously-driven vehicles, semi-automated driving involves someone sitting at the steering wheel; while this driver generally “only” performs a monitoring function, he or she can intervene in an emergency with the system providing timely notification.
Driver assistance systems which will take the strain out of monotonous driving tasks in future series-production models, such as driving in a traffic jam or on monotonous long-distance journeys, are developed on the basis of the iCar test findings. These automated driving functions not only bring benefits in terms of comfort and safety, they also help to minimize the environmental impact while not detracting from driving pleasure. Initially, these systems will only be available for freeway driving because freeways have a sufficiently structured and defined driving environment such as lane markings.
Invisible high-tech developments ...
As far as the technical equipment of the high-tech Passat is concerned, the developers at Volkswagen Research have also deployed proven components from existing research vehicles – with one important difference: unlike Stanley or Junior, the radar, laser and camera sensors that provide almost 360 degree vision are practically invisible from the outside. It is not until the trunk opens to reveal the computer center that it becomes clear this particular Passat is a research vehicle.
... and series-production technology
The Volkswagen engineers did not have to resort to specially-built parts for some of the high-tech components on the iCar. Electro-mechanical power steering, the electronic gas pedal and the advanced dual clutch transmission DSG all feature as standard equipment or optional extras in the Passat and constitute the ideal technical basis for adding automated driving functions.