VW Debuts Temporary Auto Pilot Feature

The hottest news to come out of Volkswagen's corporate office is the announcement of the "Temporary Auto Pilot" or TAP. VW hails it as "an important milestone on the path towards fully automatic and accident-free driving." Can TAP deliver on VW's promise?

The Concept

TAP works up to a speed of 130 kilometers -- or 80 miles -- per hour. The driver still monitors the car's performance even as the temporary auto pilot feature takes over the vehicle's handling. The system is compatible with other automated functionalities, such as an automated lane-keeping system. The driver has the final say when to engage and when to override the TAP.

Suggested Uses

Anyone who has ever driven the flat roads of Kansas can appreciate Volkswagen's suggestion of utilizing the temporary auto pilot for "monotonous driving situations." VW goes a step further and highlights the TAP's usefulness in traffic jams or even stretches of road that carry limited speed options.

What if ...

If a vehicle's cruise control or lane monitoring system fails, will the temporary auto pilot functionality be compromised? The interdependence on fallible systems can quickly turn a car traveling at 80 miles an hour into somewhat of a loose cannon. There is also the question of liability: If the car gets into a fender bender while on auto pilot, who is to blame?

Sure, the driver has the ultimate control, but what if the motorist argues that trust in the sensor-laden vehicle was prudent on a day when visibility was poor? Moreover, will the driver who is merely monitoring operations really have the wherewithal to handle a suddenly swerving vehicle or obstacle that appears on the roadway?

The Human Factor

Much like the proverbial elephant in the room, there is the texting driver in the front seat. Volkswagen is very clear that the driver must actively monitor the traffic and the temporary auto pilot's operation, but let's be honest: who wouldn't take this moment of being "chauffeured" by their VW to send out a few texts?

Consider also the dangerous practice of falling asleep behind the wheel. Sure, a car using the TAP can maneuver much more effectively than a sleepy driver, but what happens when road conditions suddenly change? Will prolonged inactivity behind the wheel lull drivers to sleep?

It is clear that -- in optimum conditions -- Volkswagen's TAP feature is a great selling point. Even so, one cannot help but wonder how insurance companies will handle crashes involving the system.

Sources

Volkswagen AG: "Driving with a Driver -- Volkswagen presents the "Temporary Auto Pilot"