Stellantis Hits the Brakes on Self-Driving Cars

Stellantis, the global automotive giant, has decided to hit pause on its plans to launch advanced self-driving technology. The company had ambitious plans to introduce Level 3 autonomous driving, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel in busy city areas. However, Stellantis now states that the market isn't ready for such technology.

Not a Complete Stop

This decision doesn't mean Stellantis is abandoning its autonomous driving aspirations entirely. The company continues to improve its current driver assistance technology, such as hands-free driving on specific roads. Additionally, Stellantis is collaborating with suppliers and leveraging aiMotive, a tech startup they acquired, to further develop their AutoDrive program.

Reasons Behind the Shift

Several factors contributed to this change in strategy:

• High costs
• Technological challenges
• Low consumer demand for this level of automation

Challenges Faced

Stellantis has encountered software glitches in their electric vehicles and recently ended a significant partnership with Amazon on in-car technology.

Looking Ahead

Despite these setbacks, Stellantis remains committed to in-car software advancements, particularly in areas like voice assistants and route planning. While the road ahead is challenging, Stellantis is still moving forward, albeit at a slower pace than initially planned.