Cruise – the startup that wants you to be able to turn any car into a self-driving car

Cruise is an eight-person start-up that seeks to revolutionise how we commute. It has created what is essentially an autopilot which you can retrofit to your existing car that can take over the car’s streering, throttle and brakes, to make sure your car stays in its lane and keeps a safe distance to the car in front.

The vehicle is called the Cruise RP-1, probably the first version of many more to come. It uses a combination of sensors to monitor lane markers as well as vehicles nearby and basically steers itself along the highway. It will slow down to a complete stop if necessary to avoid a collission.

Cruise refers to the RP1 as a “highway autopilot” which means you have to drive yourself before you get onto the highway and after you turn off to your destination, but the ability to offload even the highway drive alone to the system is something some people would look forward to.

You basically drive onto a highway and once you are in a lane, you press the Cruise button and the system will take over. Once you reach your desired highway exit you have to take over.

The system is made of three parts – sensors that go on top of the car, actuators for the steering, throttle and brakes, and a computer that is mounted in the boot to process everything.

At the moment, the Cruise RP1 only works with newer Audi cars, but it intends to expand the list of compatible cars in the future. Only 50 units are available for pre-launch booking now with a 2015 targeted launch, at US$10,000 each.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • Yeng lan dou ah…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
    • Same L0r on Jun 24, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      Sounds cool, but one bird shit hit on the sensor will guarantee accident on the road. How about snow? How about rain? Haze?

      Need more risk evaluation and practical assessment.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • kami (Member) on Jun 24, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    menarik..baru la logik.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • abuya1234567891 on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:03 am

      We already have auto cruise. Now auto pilot. Yeay… I love technology….

      Please think out of box. In WW2, military doesnt think that computer can be like palm size. In 1980s, Steve Jobs already sketch apple tab idea and show to his close friend which coming reality 30 years later.

      For this, this idea is good start. I imagine in next 20 years, while trap in federal hiway jam, I just on auto pilot, take a sleep and wake up… yeay… already in front of office.

      In front office… Not at hospital. OK?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Jason on Jun 24, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    confirm will crash used in malaysia
    the road surface is without the painted line in msia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Akura on Jun 24, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Don’t worry guys, Proton will offer it as standard accessory in year 2054.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • flipper2uman on Jun 24, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Why take the fun out driving? If I want a automated driving system, I’ll take the subway.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
    • Obviously (Member) on Jun 24, 2014 at 7:59 pm

      No one is forcing you to use it. If you enjoy 164km of straight roads like in the United States or Germany, then you probably won’t see the logic behind the system.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
      • flipper2uman (Member) on Jun 24, 2014 at 8:28 pm

        The max speed in most interstate roads are between 70-75mph. I doubt one can drive up to 164km. Anyway, it is always at the buyers option in the US to buy what he need in his car. I don’t think this is the case here. One probably be force to buy something really unnecessary.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 8
        • What he meant was 164km length of straight roads bro… read properly.
          If you don’t like it don’t buy it. Simple as that as some people will feel the need for it while others don’t. As you said, take the subway

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • flipper2uman (Member) on Jun 24, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Why take the fun out of driving. If I want a autonomous driving system, I’ll take the subway. At least I don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for this gadget.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
    • DrCooper on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:06 am

      Not everybody would thought drive is a pleasant thing to do..some might thought it as necessity..and not every places on earth has subways especially on route connected by a highway

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • realityhurts on Jun 24, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    I wonder what happens if a big truck suddenly decide to swerve into your lane?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • torque on Jun 24, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    “Yeeesssss!!! Have my car tint as dark as possible since I’ve a VVIP plate, take the highway from North to South, commit adultery in the car while its moving and nothing Jabatan Agama can do about it! Warghahaha!! (*Evil laugh)…hmmm…this could be playing in the mind of those rich and famous. :P

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Jun 24, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    the end is near

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • willywonka on Jun 24, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    What happen the time exit highway, driver already sleeping?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • NormanTheGreat (Member) on Jun 24, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    i more induce to know what happen of the system failed one fine day like Volvo anti pedestrian collision system??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • niterunner99 on Jun 24, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    Hope this type of car can help the handicap citizens, will be good for them.
    definately won’t be seeing this as standard equipment in a WRX or Audi RS or BMW M family or AMG!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Guys, the most suitable application of this device is during bumper to bumper traffic jam in KL or in Nilai-Seremban hiway, no need to do anything, this thing works for you, cool no?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • This is pretty cool. I wonder why just Audi cars though – do Audi’s have something specific in them?

    Would be great if they can integrate the two cameras and what looks like a LIDAR sensor to fit within the curvatures of the car rather than as a thing on top of the roof.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Denaihati on Jun 24, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    this is extremely good evolusion, maybe not fun to the driver but sometime it is useful and safe driving. also very useful for older and disable driver. of course the price still very high at this moment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bongcs on Jun 25, 2014 at 10:11 am

    now i can change my baby’s dippers ! Yeepey !!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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