The Audi AI traffic jam pilot presents automated driving at a new level

The Audi AI traffic jam pilot is the world's first system that enables SAE level three conditional automation. Audi presents the innovation in the new A8, which handles the task of driving in traffic jam or slow-moving highway traffic up to 60km/h. With the traffic jam pilot engaged, drivers no longer need to continuously monitor the vehicle and the road. They must merely remain alert and capable of taking over the task of driving when the system prompts them to do so.

In nose-to-tail traffic at no more than 60km/h, the Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes over on highways and multi-lane motorways with a physical barrier separating the two directions of traffic. The system handles starting from a stop, accelerating, steering and braking in its lane. It can also handle demanding situations such as vehicles cutting in closely in front.

The control signals that the Audi AI traffic jam pilot requires for conditional automated driving are obtained from the central driver assistance controller and from a redundant data fusion in the radar control unit. If the driver has activated the traffic jam pilot at the AI button on the centre console, they can take their foot off the accelerator and their hands off the steering wheel. Unlike at level two, they no longer have to continuously monitor the car and can focus on another activity supported by the on-board infotainment system.