PSA extends tests of its autonomous cars to ‘non-experts’

29 March 2017

The PSA Group is rolling out the ′Autonomous Vehicle for All’ (AVA) programme to vehicles across its Peugeot, Citroën and DS brands and has extended tests to ′non-expert’ motorists. The AVA programme, presented at the Geneva Motor Show, brings together a large range of functions that will gradually lead to the partial, and later total, delegation of the driving to the car itself.

The demonstration models tested by motorists are equipped with level 3 ′eyes off’ and 4 ′mind off’ functions. These driver assistance functions originating from the AVA programme are already available on several vehicles, including the Peugeot 3008 and the Citroën C4 Picasso, C3 and Spacetourer in Europe as well as the Peugeot 4008 and the Citroën C6 in China.

Starting in 2018, automated driving functions ′under driver’s supervision’ will constitute the second phase of the AVA programme. Details of the autonomous and driver assistance systems (ADAS) that are currently featured and the level 2 functions which will be launched on the DS 7 Crossback are provided in the  PSA Group press release.

From 2020, autonomous driving functions called ′hands off’, followed by level 3 ′eyes off’ functions, will enable the driver to completely delegate driving to the vehicle.

PSA became the first company to test autonomous cars on open roads in France, beginning in July 2015, and is the first to experiment with so-called ′non-experts’ behind the wheel. These tests began in early March 2017 and will continue in June 2017 with the general public.

To date, over 120,000 kilometres have been covered in autonomous mode (levels 2, 3 and 4) on European roads. A total of 15 prototypes are being used by the Group and its partners.

Photograph courtesy of Groupe PSA