The Audi Roadjet Electronics

Audi drive select enables the driver to choose between three customised configurations for the engine, transmission characteristic, steering and shock absorbers, simply by pressing a button on the steering wheel control element.

The "dynamic" mode, automatically activated at the start of every journey, serves as the basic setting. In the "comfort" mode the shock absorbers are set noticeably softer, the servotronic requires less force to be applied when steering, and dynamic steering applies a more indirect range of gear ratios. As a result, the engine and gearbox respond gently to commands from the accelerator pedal. The "sport" mode, on the other hand, gives the Audi Roadjet Concept a decidedly sporty driving feel: The shock absorbers are set firm, the steering is direct.

In addition to the three basic configurations, Audi drive select also offers the possibility of combining individual parameters from the three stages, dynamic, sport or comfort; e.g. a sporty shock absorber setup with easy-action steering.

Car-to-car communication, where a direct exchange of information takes place between cars on the move and stationary transmitters, assists in terms of safety, for example, improves the traffic flow, and simplifies numerous everyday situations. Three examples:

Safety
After losing control on any icy road, a vehicle has come to rest across the carriageway on a blind corner. It is halfway into the ditch and cannot get out of the danger area unassisted. At the same time other vehicles are approaching the obstruction, but their drivers are unable to see it. With the new communication technology, the vehicle involved in the accident will transmit a warning signal. Thanks to the network established with the vehicle’s on-board navigation system, this will also indicate the location of the hazard. A corresponding warning is simultaneously shown on the navigation screen of approaching vehicles, indicating the location of the accident. The risk of a further accident is thus substantially reduced.

Traffic flow
Lines of traffic are moving from one set of traffic lights to the next on a multi-lane arterial road. The cars accelerate, only to have to brake again when the traffic lights turn red. This type of driving not only tires the individual driver, but also means that many litres of fuel are wasted along every kilometre of such roads in the long term, by the traffic as a whole. It also leads to greatly increased emissions in conurbations. Car-to-car technology means that cars are not only able to establish a network with each other, but also to receive information from stationary transmitters, such as the traffic light control systems. The phases of each set of traffic lights can thus be transmitted, giving drivers an opportunity to anticipate more accurately how much acceleration is necessary or appropriate. The same applies to impending tailbacks. With appropriate data from vehicles further ahead, the systems can recommend what speeds driver should adopt in order to keep the traffic flowing.

Service
When driving through a city centre, a driver has selected the local shopping centre as the destination for the navigation system. There is a shortage of parking spaces around that destination. But the new technology can help out in this situation too: with the aid of the destination coordinates, the mobile system networks with the parking space detection system in the destination area. If a nearby vacant parking space is reported by static facilities, such as at a multi-storey car park, the navigation system can automatically take this into account and simultaneously reserve the space in that car park. The driver is guided to the destination by the shortest and most convenient route, and does not, as at present, have to search endlessly for a parking space.