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HomeCarsStellantis unveils revolutionary autonomous driving technology that will change your driving life!

Stellantis unveils revolutionary autonomous driving technology that will change your driving life!

Automotive giant Stellantis has just announced a major breakthrough in the field of autonomous driving. Their new STLA AutoDrive system promises to completely free the driver from monitoring the road. This innovation could revolutionize the way we think about traveling by car.

An announcement that shakes the automotive industry

During its 2024 investor day, Stellantis created a surprise by unveiling its new technological platforms intended to equip all of its brands. Among them, STLA AutoDrive particularly stands out and could well revolutionize our driving experience.

This announcement raises many questions, which Stellantis has not yet fully answered. Let's take a closer look at what we know about this promising technology.

STLA AutoDrive: level 3 autonomous driving

STLA AutoDrive is billed as a next-generation hands-free driver assistance system. According to Stellantis, it will offer two modes of operation:

  • Hands-free with eyes on the road
  • Hands-free without the need to monitor the road
  • This second functionality makes it a level 3 driving assistance system, a significant advance compared to current systems.

    To put this innovation in perspective, remember that currently only the Mercedes-Benz DrivePilot system offers level 3 functionality in the United States, and only on certain high-end models. Competing systems like GM's Super Cruise or Ford's BlueCruise remain Level 2 systems, requiring constant monitoring of the road by the driver.

    Persistent gray areas

    Despite the enthusiasm generated by this announcement, many questions remain unanswered:

  • How does STLA AutoDrive work technically?
  • Where and when can the system be used in โ€œeyes-freeโ€ mode?
  • What will it cost?
  • Which vehicles will be equipped with it?
  • Stellantis has not yet provided these crucial details, leaving a certain mystery surrounding this innovation.

    A launch that raises questions

    It is interesting to note that Stellantis had discreetly launched a competing system called Hands-Free Active Driving Assist at the end of 2023. This system, available on certain Jeep and Ram models, became obsolete less than a year after its introduction.

    A Stellantis spokesperson said that Hands-Free Active Driving Assist will continue to be offered for some time, alongside the rollout of the STLA AutoDrive platform. However, the long-term future of this system is unclear.

    STLA Brain: the brain of the car of the future

    STLA AutoDrive will rely on STLA Brain, a central platform managing the vehicle's electronics and software. This system integrates onboard sensors and actuators while remaining connected to the cloud for remote updates. Stellantis says STLA Brain will halve the number of electronic control units in a vehicle, bringing them down to around 60.

    STLA Smart Cockpit: the ultimate integration

    Powered by STLA Brain, the STLA Smart Cockpit aims to seamlessly integrate the vehicle into its owner's daily life. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, the system will evolve to learn the user's preferences, creating a personal profile that integrates climate, navigation, entertainment and control settings.

    This profile, linked to the user's mobile phone, will allow immediate integration into any vehicle equipped with STLA Cockpit and STLA Brain.

    An imminent deployment

    Stellantis announced that STLA AutoDrive, STLA Brain and STLA Smart Cockpit will enter production at the end of 2024. The first vehicles equipped with these technologies are expected to hit the market in 2025.

    This announcement marks a major turning point in the automotive industry. If Stellantis can deliver on its promises, we could see a real revolution in the way we design and use our vehicles. It remains to be seen how these technologies will be received by consumers and regulatory authorities, and what impact they will have on road safety and our relationship with driving.

    Stellantis unveils revolutionary autonomous driving technology that will change your driving life!

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