Jeep Showcases Off-Road Autonomous Driving Vehicles

“Freedom is Electric”. That’s the new slogan for off-road automaker Jeep®. With electrified favorites like the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and all-electric variants, such as the all-electric Wagoneer, we’re going to be seeing a lot of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) coming from Jeep and all the other automotive brands under the Stellantis umbrella. Alongside the BEV boom, automakers are also looking into ways to incorporate and advanced self-driving vehicle technology. Stellantis recently announced its upcoming vehicle-to-everything (V2X) project to alert drivers to upcoming hazardous situations, such as an immobilized vehicle or auto incident, and the Chrysler Airflow Concept at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show also showed off the SmartCockpit and its Level 3 autonomous driving functionality. Getting ahead of the game, Jeep is already working on level 3 autonomy for some of its vehicles, starting with autonomous off-road driving technology.

“In the same way that our 4xe electrification takes Jeep brand’s off-road capability to new heights, these advanced off-road driving systems will help more customers in more countries around world join and enjoy the adventure. These features and technology will have real-life applications on and off the trail in a wide range of driving conditions,” – Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO

For anyone not in the know, an autonomous vehicle is one that can drive itself and navigate roadways without the need for a driver behind the wheel. In total, there are five levels of driving automation, starting from Level Zero (0) with no driving automation technology whatsoever, to Level Five (5) where full driving automation makes it possible for the vehicle to drive itself everywhere in all kinds of driving conditions without the need for any human interaction. Today (2023), many automakers live somewhere between Level 1 and Level 3. Level 1 consists of technology like driver assistance warning features, like warning the driver if they’re leaving their lane or someone is coming up in their blind spot. Level 2 automation would consist of things like Highway Driving Assist systems or advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that can take over steering, acceleration, and braking in specific scenarios, like forward-collision warning with emergency braking systems. Level 3 is currently the sweet spot, where various driver assistance systems and artificial intelligence can take over control of the vehicle, but at the moment, no Level 3 systems are legal to use on American roads just yet.

That might all change in the coming years, and Jeep wants to capitalize on it by doing what it does best and making it automatic. Jeep is known for off-road adventure, and Jeepers love to test the capabilities of their Jeep SUV when trekking in the woods and conquering trails made for Jeep and other off-road vehicles. Some may see it as cheating, but why not give newbies to a Jeep the satisfaction of going off-road and completing a trail, even if their hands aren’t on the wheel? Jeep isn’t about gatekeeping, and no one should have to shy away from the Jeep Badge of Honor program just because they haven’t gone off-road with a Jeep before.

Testing the latest prototypes of automated off-road driving technology exclusive to the Jeep brand in Moab, Utah, Neda Cvijetic, head of AI & autonomous driving at Stellantis gives us a glimpse at the off-road capability of an autonomous Jeep in the video above. Whether enhancing the experience for seasoned off-roaders or consumers new to driving off-road trails, autonomous technology can change the way Jeepers look at some of the more challenging trails they may not have the confidence to take on by themselves. Expanding automated off-road driving technology, alongside off-road electrification it the new goal for Jeep, and we’re excited to see what comes of it.

Want to keep up with Jeep and autonomous technology? Follow along with us on Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram social media. Want to go on your own adventure? Find a new Jeep SUV at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram today.

Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis Media