As the first carmaker to obtain permission for self driving technology testing on the nation's roads, the company had a head start on its rivals. Nevertheless, the 580km trip, completed on Friday is a first for PSA Peugeot Citroen and for France as a whole. It is the first time an autonomous car has driven on a public road within the country's borders.
PSA Peugeot Citroen chairman Carlos Tavares said, "The journey made by our prototype today proves that autonomous vehicles are no longer of matter of science fiction. This ushers in a new era for mobility, which I find truly exciting."
In neighbouring Germany, Mercedes-Benz also achieved an autonomous world first on Friday. Its self driving Actros truck became the first production commercial vehicle anywhere in the world to drive itself on a public highway.
Thanks to a sensor array plus active safety systems, the truck is capable of taking over driving responsibilities in pre-defined situations such as on highways, where traffic flows and potential hazards are more predictable. The Highway Pilot Mode, which can be engaged and disengaged by the driver, can autonomously ensure a safe distance from the vehicle ahead while maintaining lane discipline. If the car in front slows, the truck also applies the brakes automatically.
