Volvo, the Swedish luxury automaker works on a big project for the upcoming decade. Aside they have a clear plan to electrify the entire lineup by 2025, they will also introduce a Level 4 self-driving crossover SUV in 2021. This so-called “Highway Assist” will make its first appearance in the 2021 Volvo XC90. Aside from it’s going to feature the most advanced self-driving system, the flagship SUV will also arrive totally redesigned.
According to Volvo Senior Vice President Henrik Green, the future Level 4 self-driving system will be mostly limited to highway drive. However, in contrast to the current Pilot Assist which needs occasional interfering with the driver, the crossover equipped with the Highway Assist will be able to carry sleeping passengers. The system will rely on cloud-based information (something like map data), which is not the case with today’s model. Of course, the crossover will have to have a number of cameras, lidar and radar systems, in order to make the system functional and unmistakable.
The brand’s Senior Vice President didn’t say how much money is going to cost the 2021 Volvo XC90 mated to the Level 4, though he has mentioned that the feature is going to be a premium add-on for “four figures” model. The next-generation Volvo XC90 is going to be available in North America of course. Moreover, the U.S. specs model will be built in Volvo’s new manufacturing plant near Charleston, South Carolina.
