Autonomous LS 600h L Spotted in Michigan
PHOTOS: Check Out Our Spy Photographer’s Exclusive Shots of a Self-Driving LS 600h L. Yeah, We’re Just as Stoked as You Are!
Recently, Michigan’s governor, Rick Snyder, signed a bill into law allowing further testing of fully autonomous cars on public roads. Manufacturers have wasted no time taking advantage of their longer leash. Lexus is among the first. This Lexus LS 600h L was recently spotted in southeast Michigan.
Looking like something out of Back to the Future, the Lexus is nearly completely covered in high-tech equipment. In addition, it’s got sensors, cameras and other devices mounted on its roof. Also, there is a huge bundle of wires running to something mysterious in the trunk. Our best guess is that it’s some serious data-acquisition software.
It’s more than likely that nearly all usable space in the cabin is occupied by similarly sophisticated equipment. This apparently necessitates the use of the long-wheelbase model to maximize space for gear.
It also makes perfect sense for Lexus to develop self-driving technology for their flagship long-wheelbase model. Stretching out and relaxing in the backseat of the Lexus LS 600h L while your electronic chauffeur drives you to your destination sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But we’re getting close to having that technology very soon. Isn’t the future awesome?
From a packaging standpoint, if all of these sensors and cameras are necessary for safe autonomous operation, it will be interesting to see how vehicle styling will have to change to accommodate this extra equipment.
On the other hand, cars now have more cameras and sensors than ever before. And as technology progresses, manufacturers are finding new and clever ways of installing them without making them stand out.
Finally, in every shot of the car we can clearly see a driver operating the controls. We wonder how long it will be before we see a lone engineer in the backseat, tracking his machine’s progress on a laptop?
Photo credit goes to Chris Doane Automotive. Thanks for the photos, Chris!
