A new EU Project on Safe Road Trains for the Environment (SARTRE) will allow automated driven cars in convoys on European highways – in 10 years.
The idea behind the project is that you connect the leader vehicle which can be a taxi, truck or any car with a driver who is familiar with the road. After that, the car will join the convoy, follow the lead, accelerate or slow down when necessary which you can relax and enjoy the ride. At any time, you can contact the leader vehicle and leave the convoy and take over the control of your car for example when you reach your destination or need to change roads.
The vehicles in automated mode are able to detect gaps created by other vehicles leaving the convoy and can adjust it to keep a uniform distance. Another ground rule is that a vehicle can only join a convoy in the last position. A convoy can be around 6-8 cars length. Below is a video that shows the SARTRE lead system in action. Read More »