Continental is testing autonomous vehicle technology. Photo courtesy of Continental.

Continental is testing autonomous vehicle technology. Photo courtesy of Continental.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY and AUBURN HILLS, MI – Automotive supplier Continental received a license to test autonomous vehicles in Nevada. The company completed driving demonstrations on December 18 in Carson City, Nev., and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles approved Continental’s autonomous vehicle program, which involves employee training, safety systems in the autonomous vehicles Continental plans to test, and accident reporting procedures.

Continental said its autonomous vehicle is designed to have a driver monitor the vehicle from behind the wheel. The vehicle has four short-range sensors, two in the front and two in the back, a single long-range radar, and a stereo camera, which it uses to navigate roads and traffic. The vehicle utilizes the company’s “ContiGuard” safety concept, and is capable of tracking all objects as they enter the sensors’ view.

The vehicle has logged more than 15,000 miles and is built with equipment that is already in production on different vehicles. Continental said its short-term goal is to relieve drivers from the task of tedious driving-related tasks, such as driving on highways with little traffic or in traffic jams. Continental said that as of 2016, automated systems could be helping drivers in stop-and-go traffic situations at low freeway speeds. This program is part of Continental’s “Vision Zero,” which involves a future with zero traffic accidents and fatalities.

Google is another company involved in autonomous vehicle technology. The company received its license in Nevada in May of 2012.

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