In collaboration with The Discovery Channel, Audi has created a four-part web series that features the brand's latest innovation in automated driving and Audi Intelligence (AI), as showcased during the first ever Audi Summit. Episodes are available at audiandbeyond.sg and star Audi's own Brand Ambassadors, Tay Ping Hui and Dick Lee. Ahead of AI's arrival in Singapore, the brand ambassadors were the first two Singaporeans to experience being driven in Jack, one of Audi's autonomous prototype cars.
AI stands for autonomy, intelligence and innovation. It aims to make occupants' lives easier and journeys safer through artificial intelligence. AI also underpins Audi's 25th Hour concept, which envisions returning an average of 50 minutes per day spent behind the wheel - according to Audi's research - to drivers through autonomous driving.
In Munich, Jack - an autonomous Audi A7 prototype equipped with Motorway Pilot - separately took Ping Hui and Dick for a ride on the German autobahn at speeds of up to 130km/h, without human intervention.
Both ambassadors were initially apprehensive at taking their hands off the steering wheel and feet off the pedal. Nervousness quickly gave way to excitement as they realised their time had been freed up to indulge in other activities.
At the inaugural Audi Summit in Barcelona, Audi showcased the Fit Driver system that allows the car to access health data collected by wearables so that the vehicle's sensors can assess the stress or fatigue levels of the driver. While in AI mode, the vehicle would be able to launch coaching programmes such as guided deep breathing exercises, to encourage the driver to calm down and to exit the vehicle with a greater sense of wellbeing.
Many of the concepts demonstrated at the Audi Summit are finding their way into production models, starting with the all new Audi A8. The flagship limousine is the world's first production car to be developed for conditional automation. Where legislations allow, the A8 is able to take over the driving task in nose-to-tail traffic on highways and motorways with a physical barrier separating the two directions of traffic.
