Like so many carmakers, Jaguar Land Rover is getting ready for a future that includes more connected and autonomous features on cars. Unlike most other auto companies, JLR is working to integrate those technologies into off-road driving, too.
The company recently provided a glimpse of several features that are in the early stages of development, and we got a chance to try them out. These aren?t ready for the market yet. But if your next safari is a few years away, keep an eye out for these three off-road-themed technologies:
Surface ID
What It Is: Sensors scan the road to determine if the surface is tarmac, grass, sand, gravel, mud, etc.
The Technology: Front-bumper-mounted ultrasonic sensors.
Details: Currently, when a Land Rover’s Terrain Response system is in Auto mode, the vehicle determines the type of terrain-based wheel speed, steering-wheel-angle, and other in-vehicle sensors. Surface ID instead looks ahead to see what type of terrain the car is about to drive onto. Ultrasonic sensors mounted near the front license plate scan the road roughly 15 feet ahead to read the surface. Once it determines the terrain, it gives the driver a readout?which is fairly unspectacular in practice. In theory, it also could automatically optimize the car by selecting the corresponding Terrain Response system mode. Future: Ultrasonic sensors would need to be prepared for production and integration into vehicles. (Development units looked like a GoPro stuck on the license plate.)...