Much like a day at the race track, off-roading is an automotive joy that requires skill, attention, and nerves. There’s the high-speed Baja stuff that Ford specializes in with its Raptor products, and there’s also the OG rock crawling scene. Something that Jeep is all too familiar with. Jeep has also gone to great lengths to engage with customers on the trails, and even lend them a training course or two. At the same time, Jeep is also showcasing what off-roading could be like without any human inputs entirely. Hm.
Jeep Autonomous Off-Road Driving Technology: Details
Jeep recently released a short video for National Autonomous Vehicle Day in the USA, giving a glimpse of its future-generation, advanced, off-road driving technology. We’re not entirely sure what the point of this is since people don’t go off-roading for autonomy but do it for the reasons mentioned earlier. In Moab, Utah, a team led by Neda Cvijetic, head of AI & autonomous driving at Stellantis, tested the latest prototypes of automated off-road driving technology exclusively developed for the Jeep brand.
The system was installed into two electrified Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models; this AI and autonomous off-road driving technology can enhance the experiences of seasoned off-roaders and customers new to driving the trail. This technology also aims to help Jeep SUV owners in challenging everyday driving conditions. But, then again, so could improving their own skills behind the wheel.
The Jeep brand seems keen on pursuing automated off-road driving technology, alongside its growing leadership in off-road electrification with its expanding range of 4xe SUVs. Soon, Jeep plans to release a full video showcasing the technology this summer. Though the intent is for recreational use, it may have a more tactical purpose that could even be useful to the military. If anything, the technology could be more of a recovery method than an alternative to off-roading.
