Volvo to Integrate Autonomous Driving with Luminar and Zenseact

Volvo Advances Autonomous Driving with Ride Pilot

Volvo Cars is collaborating with Luminar, a lidar specialist, and Zenseact, its autonomous driving software division, to integrate an advanced driver assistance feature into its forthcoming all-electric vehicle lineup. This development was announced by the automaker on Wednesday during the CES technology show.

The feature, designated “Ride Pilot,” is initially planned as a subscription-based add-on for an electric SUV slated for unveiling later this year. It represents a significant step towards fully autonomous capabilities.

Unsupervised Autonomous Functionality

Volvo characterizes Ride Pilot as an “unsupervised” autonomous driving system. This means the vehicle will be capable of navigating without requiring constant driver attention, allowing occupants to engage in activities such as reading, working, or socializing.

Luminar and Zenseact have been jointly developing the underlying technologies since March 2021, aiming to create a comprehensive autonomous vehicle platform potentially available to other automotive manufacturers.

Competition and Technological Landscape

Volvo’s initiative places it among a growing number of automakers pursuing commercially viable autonomous driving solutions. Tesla’s “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” systems, relying on camera-based vision, offer advanced driver assistance features.

Similarly, Chinese manufacturer Xpeng is introducing “Xpilot,” its next-generation ADAS, which integrates lidar, radar, and cameras for point-to-point automated navigation.

Ride Pilot: True Self-Driving Experience

“The core distinction with Ride Pilot is its genuine self-driving nature,” explained Martin Kristensson, Volvo’s VP of digital business, to TechCrunch. “Drivers won’t need to maintain contact with the steering wheel or monitor the road. They can comfortably enjoy activities like having breakfast or watching a movie while the vehicle operates autonomously.”

Volvo will assume liability while the car is in self-driving mode, a key differentiator in the current market.

Rigorous Testing and Initial Deployment

Prior to public release, Ride Pilot will undergo extensive verification and testing. This includes validating its safe operation on highways under various conditions.

Initially, the system will be limited to pre-validated highways and operate at reduced speeds, ensuring a controlled introduction.

California as the Launchpad

California has been selected as the initial market for Ride Pilot, owing to its supportive regulatory environment for autonomous vehicle testing, favorable weather conditions, and extensive highway network.

Los Angeles commuters currently spend an average of 119 hours annually in traffic, a situation Volvo believes can be better utilized.

Regulatory Approvals and Challenges

Volvo is actively engaging with regulatory bodies, including the California DMV, to secure the necessary permits for public road testing. Current testing is underway in Sweden with Zenseact, with plans to expand to California by mid-year.

However, existing regulations, such as those prohibiting phone use while driving, may present challenges to Volvo’s vision of passengers engaging in digital activities during autonomous operation.

Hardware and Subscription Details

While the exact cost of the Ride Pilot subscription remains undisclosed, Volvo anticipates the accompanying SUV will be priced similarly to the 2022 Volvo XC90, starting around $50,000.

All vehicles will be equipped with the necessary sensors for autonomous and ADAS capabilities, including Luminar’s Iris lidar, five radars, eight cameras, and 16 ultrasonic sensors.

Data Collection and Continuous Improvement

“Every vehicle will have a basic level of safety, like helping you do emergency braking or steering, and that’s standard,” stated Zenseact CEO Ödgärd Andersson to TechCrunch. “Now with this new level of technology and the lidar to actually take it to a whole new level, on top of that there’s the cruise functionality to assist while you’re driving that’s taken to a new level because we have better sensing and compute.”

Software updates will be delivered over-the-air, ensuring continuous improvement and redundancy, mirroring Tesla’s approach with its FSD system.

Future Vehicle Design and Partnerships

The design of the upcoming electric SUV is expected to align with Volvo’s “Concept Recharge” unveiled in July, featuring a crossover-like profile, a glass ceiling, and rear suicide doors.

Volvo is collaborating with Northvolt (EV batteries), Google, and Luminar to develop this vehicle and future models.

Enhanced Digital Experience

Volvo will integrate Qualcomm’s Snapdragon digital cockpit infotainment center into the new SUV. Furthermore, the partnership with Google will expand to include Google Assistant integration and YouTube access within the vehicle.

“We see that drivers will spend more time in the car not driving, while electrical cars are charging and you’re waiting for it to charge, or maybe in a situation with an autonomous vehicle where you’re riding and relaxing rather than driving, so we want to enable more digital services in the car,” said Kristensson.

Subscription Model and Customer Flexibility

Volvo is transitioning towards a subscription-based model for digital services, offering customers greater flexibility and transparency.

“We will see a lot of services and experiences coming through to our consumers in the next year that they can actually subscribe to rather than buy it upfront,” Anne-Mette Nygaard, head of digital consumer products, told TechCrunch. “So more flexible ownership and more transparency directly with our consumers is the way to go.”