‘Self-drive’ Audi spied on the road

The phrase ‘keep your eyes on the road’ could soon become a thing of the past... as these dramatic pictures are the first evidence that Audi is set to stun the world with a car capable of driving itself!

According to our spies, this prototype A8 has been fitted with three video cameras, designed to scan the road for potential hazards. Two are mounted where the foglights would usually be, and one is attached to the rear view mirror.  Images from these cameras are then fed into a computer, which plots the direction and proximity of nearby objects.

When the set-up is fully functioning, it’s thought this information could be used to help the car avoid accidents, or even steer it down a winding road. Similar technology, also employing a series of cameras, has already been demonstrated by Honda in its Legend and Accord.

The Japanese company’s passive system is described as being a safety feature, and a device to help tired drivers stay in the right lane. However, the work being done on this Audi is thought to move on this existing technology and play a far greater role in the car’s on-road behaviour.

Insiders at the German firm insist that the system – which drivers will be able to switch off – is still some way from the showroom. Best estimates suggest a model fitted with the innovation is unlikely to hit the road before 2012.