Audi demonstrates AV technology to lawmakers in New York
14 Jun 2017
An Audi automated vehicle hit the roads of Albany yesterday, demonstrating for lawmakers how the audio/video (AV) interface technology worked.
"The car lets you know the autopilot is available," said assembly member Steve McLaughlin, a Republican from Melrose, after he stepped out of the car, WRGB Albany reported.
Assembly member McLaughlin, assembly member Pete Lopez and lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul took a ride in the car yesterday. The lawmakers, and the company, described a car that switched between operator driven and self driven, as per the type of road, speed and road conditions.
"It's like an airplane where you still have two pilots and the computer's flying 90 per cent of the time but they have to be available to take control of the plane if something happens," said Brad Stertz, Audi government affairs director, WRGB Albany reported.
"The number one reason we are pursuing it is for the safety aspect," he said.
According to Stertz, the language in the New York State budget was allowing vehicles like the one seen in Albany Tuesday to be tested in the state. However, until the state law changed, he said, the cars would not be widespread on the road.
"Right now it's legal in every state but New York because of that 1971 one hand on the wheel law. That's the first thing we want to work with the Governor's Office and the Legislature to figure out how you can define the cars that may not have to be, because the technology is driving, you don't have to have a hand on the wheel," he said.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said a driver manually operated a car from State Street to I-90 where the Highway Pilot technology took over and the car drove itself for 6.1 miles before safely returning to the Empire State Plaza.
"Self-driving vehicles are the next frontier in transportation, with the potential to vastly improve traffic safety on New York's roadways," said Cuomo, WICZ TV reported. "New York is a proven leader in innovation and cutting edge technology, and these first-ever demonstrations are a major milestone toward making this new technology a reality and continuing to move New York forward."