Audi has released an updated version of its RS7 piloted driving concept now referred to as “Robby.” Compared to the previous car called Bobby, this second iteration of the autonomous vehicle adopts a red & black livery and more importantly it has lost 400 kg (881.8 lbs). Audi took it to the Sonoma Raceway in California at the 4.05-meter long track and it managed to complete a lap without human aid in 2 minutes and 01.01 seconds. Just like in the previous concept, Robby is equipped with the twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter engine taken from the regular RS7 where it develops 560 PS and 700 Nm of torque.
Besides these two autonomous RS7 concepts, Audi also developed a driverless A7 Sportback that managed to hit 80.8 mph (130 km/h) on the German autobahn, so it’s safe to say this technology is evolving in a very fast pace and will soon be introduced in a production model. As a matter of fact, the next generation A8 flagship model due towards the end of 2017 will have an autonomous driving system, but obviously it will be offered as optional equipment and surely it won’t come cheap.
With time, the technology should become more affordable to develop which means eventually it will be cheaper to buy and will be trickled down to lesser models across Audi’s range.
Source: Audi
