Volvo to use cloud data for autonomous tech

The race to be first with an autonomous car has taken to the sky.

Swedish car maker Volvo plans to share information between cars over the internet via a data cloud, to help navigate around trouble spots.

Volvo says it will soon be possible for one car to warn others nearby about road hazards, such as an oil spill or a pot hole.

Road workers could be alerted to oil spills and pot holes as soon as they surface

Sensors in modern cars are now so sensitive they can accurately measure changes in road surfaces.

In theory, if the cloud system were linked to authorities, road workers could be alerted to oil spills and pot holes as soon as they surface.

This latest development is all part of the gradual automation of the automobile.

Two years from now Volvo, Audi and Mercedes-Benz and others will have cars on sale that will be able to all but drive themselves on freeways.

The "on-ramp to off-ramp" technology is designed to take the bump out of the daily grind by using cameras, lasers and radar sensors to keep pace with other traffic, steer the car in a lane, and maintain a gap with the vehicle in front – or brake automatically if the car ahead stops suddenly.

"We have one of the most advanced autonomous driving projects of all car makers, we're way ahead of Google," said Volvo safety expert Graeme McInally.

"The commute is the most boring time for any driver, so that's obviously something that we're working on."

Audi and others believe it will be at least another 10 years before automated cars can handle city traffic

Tech giant Google has been working on automated cars for several years, modifying Toyota Prius hybrids and other vehicles, and using them primarily to map roads.

But Google has indicated it wants to challenge the automotive industry with a self-driving car of its own.

The biggest challenge is getting automated cars to process information in city and suburban environments, where there are many more hazards to avoid than on freeways.

Audi and others believe it will be at least another 10 years before automated cars can handle city traffic and spot pedestrians and cyclists.

The South Australian government this week became the first state to announce plans to amend its road rules to accommodate autonomous cars.

In the US, there are special exemptions for automated cars in California, Nevada and Michigan

"Our Motor Vehicles Act was written when the FB model Holden was being released to the market in 1959 and our Road Traffic Act [was written] two years later," Governor Hieu Van Le told Parliament.

"[The] Government will reform both pieces of legislation and also legislate for driverless vehicles, which will revolutionise transportation in South Australia."

In the US, there are special exemptions for automated cars in California, Nevada and Michigan, where the world's biggest brands are testing new systems that have been likened to auto-pilot on an aircraft.

However, anyone thinking they may be able to drink and drive or read a book while behind the wheel of an automated car should be aware that authorities and the insurance industry have already deemed that the driver is legally responsible, and therefore must obey the road rules, including the 0.05 blood alcohol limit.

"In most countries, legislation has to get up to speed on this," said Mr McInally. "Who has the ultimate responsibility? It has to be the driver."

Drivers must stay alert at all times and be ready to take controls in case the car's automated systems malfunction, say authorities.