Infiniti Reacts To Video Of Driverless Stunt In One Of Its Cars
In a statement, the company told Business Insider:
The driver assistance systems Infiniti offers on our current vehicles are designed to operate with someone in the driver's seat and actively engaged in the driving task. These systems are designed to enhance the driving experience, not replace it. Infiniti vehicles are designed for those that love to be behind the wheel, and we do not recommend, and advise against, owners using our driver assistance systems for anything other than making the driving experience safer and less stressful.
We recently tested the Infiniti Q50 and the advanced driver assistance systems work as advertised. We found the Infiniti Q50 to be a highly competent sports sedan and one of the most tech-laden passengers cars on the market, but it's definitely not an autonomous car.
The driver in the infamous video didn't press an autopilot button, but rather used the Q50's intelligent cruise control and active lane control in conjunction with one another.
The intelligent cruise control uses a series of front mounted laser sensors to detect any vehicles ahead. The system will then accelerate and brake on the movement of surrounding cars.
The Q50's active lane control uses a series of cameras mounted on each corner of the car to keep the vehicle in the middle of a lane. The system can make subtle steering adjustments to account for wind or a bumpy road. It can't make full-on turns at intersections.
All-in-all, the Q50's highly capable tech package is not a toy to be played around with. It certainly isn't meant to replace the driver. It's designed to keep the driver and passengers safe.