Audi’s Driverless Car Accomplished A Major Feat Years Before Tesla’s Self Driving Technology Existed

On November 18, 2010, Audi announced that the Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak research car had achieved its goal. The car — developed by Audi working with researchers from Stanford University, the VW Group Electronics Research Lab, and Oracle — climbed a tricky mountain track, famous for challenging the world’s best drivers.

With no one behind the wheel, the Audi TTS drove through the 12.42-mile course and was immortalized in an Audi video (shown below). Representatives of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the second-oldest race in America, were present to certify that the Audi completed the challenging ride up. It took the Audi 27 minutes to finish the mountain course, including the final dirt section. No driver has ever completed the course in less than ten minutes.

Audi World details the self-driving tech behind the ride. The Audi TTS had a 2.0 turbocharged injection engine and a six-speed double-clutch transmission, all of which were modified for electronic control. A new electric power steering system with direct wire control was also installed. Sensors were mounted on the Audi and special software was designed for the ride that changed self-driving history forever. 

Today, all new Audi vehicles come with some form of semi-autonomous driving assistance technology, and we have Audi to thank for taking the big step through this door to the future. It’s also important to note that this wasn’t Audi’s first visit to Pike’s Peak for a historic drive around the course — and it wouldn’t be the last!