Jeep is Testing Autonomous Off-Road Driving Tech, But Why?

We forgive you if you didn’t know that today is National Autonomous Vehicle Day in the U.S. Jeep used the occasion to provide a glimpse of its future-generation, off-road driving technology.

Say what? An autonomous Jeep? Yeah, we don’t really get it, either. Jeep owners who like to venture away from the pavement do it for the thrills they get behind the wheel and the control they have over the vehicle. Tackling a sketchy trail, climbing rocky hills and crossing muddy terrain are all exhilarating and rewarding challenges.

Anyway, a team of researchers and engineers led by Neda Cvijetic, head of AI & autonomous driving at Stellantis, recently tested the latest prototypes of automated off-road driving technology being exclusively developed for the Jeep brand.

As you can see in the short video above, a pair of Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid models were used for these tests. In the world-renowned playground that is Moab, Utah, they had to overcome various obstacles whether in the dirt, sand or rocks.

According to Jeep, its autonomous off-road driving technology “can enhance the experiences of seasoned off-roaders, as well of customers who are new to driving the trail.” It will also help drivers in challenging everyday conditions. Of course, they will always have the ability to turn it on or off at any given time, much like other driver assistance features.

“These advanced off-road driving systems will help more customers in more countries around world join and enjoy the adventure,” said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. “These features and technology will have real-life applications on and off the trail in a wide range of driving conditions.”

Jeep will share a full video in the summer, so stay tuned. In the meantime, how do you feel about an SUV that can drive itself off the road? Hit us with your comments below.

Watch: Revised 2024 Jeep Wrangler Makes Official Debut

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

Recalls30,000 Jeeps Recalled Due to Fire Risk, Possible Loss of Steering
Jeep has announced a pair of recalls affecting two of its most popular SUVs. The number of units in Canada is just over 30,000. Let’s start with the largest recall, which includes 23,327 Jeep Cherokees from the 2014-16 model years. Water could leak into the power liftgate control module and …
Previews2024 Jeep Wrangler : Five Things to Know
Jeep has unveiled the new 2024 Wrangler last week at the New York Auto Show. The popular body-on-frame truck has received cosmetic tweaks, and now includes more technology and equipment. The automaker also added two new versions to the lineup. Here are five things to know about the 2024 Jeep …
NewsCallum Skye is a Super-Cool EV Off-Roader, and We Want One!
Renowned British auto designer Ian Callum, who made a name for himself at Jaguar and Aston Martin before founding his own car company, is proud to present a first product designed and engineered entirely in-house—the Skye. Conceived as a sports car up top and a rugged off-roader below the waist, …