Yahoo Autos Jeep developing SUVs that can drive themselves off-road
Staying true to its roots, Jeep is taking a dirt road to the autonomous-technology arms race. The brand has started testing a fleet of Grand Cherokee-based prototypes fitted with experimental technology that lets the big SUVs drive themselves on challenging off-road trails.
"We are tackling challenges that are in some sense greater than what you experience in on-road autonomy," explained Neda Cvijetic, the head of artificial intelligence and autonomous driving at Stellantis, while riding in one of the prototypes on the outskirts of Moab, Utah.
Jeep had little to say about its off-road autonomous technology; we don't even know the system's name yet. The company clarified that it's developing this technology exclusively for the cars in its range, which suggests that — as of writing — the system won't show up in a Ram, and the prototypes it's testing in Moab look pretty much stock at first glance. The main difference between the Grand Cherokee-based test mules and the Grand Cherokee sitting in front of your nearest Jeep dealer is the armada of sensors and other hardware installed on the roof.
It's a similar story inside: it looks like standard Grand Cherokee fare with the exception of a big screen installed over the touchscreen that displays the infotainment system. One of the images released by the brand shows a Grand Cherokee in a green box labeled "lead," which seemingly confirms that the system can detect other cars in addition to various obstacles in the trail. It may be able to follow other cars, too.
