(July 26, 2014) TAMPA, Fla. — Audi will be the first automated driving pioneer to test its technology on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway in Tampa, which was recently designated as an automated driving and connected car test bed. Audi will be demonstrating its highly automated Piloted driving technology in an Audi A7 equipped to handle driving functions on freeway conditions up to 40 mph.

Audi believes this initial version of Piloted driving — called Traffic Jam Pilot — could be available to consumers within five years. The ability to conduct research in the real-world conditions offered by Florida and the Expressway Authority is crucial to pre-production development.

In 2012, Governor Rick Scott signed into law HB 1207, which allowed the testing of autonomous vehicles in the state, and made Florida one of only three states where automobile and technology manufacturers could invest, with certainty, in research and design projects for autonomous technology. Because Florida created an environment that allows for the testing and development of autonomous technology, companies such as Audi have decided to bring research and development efforts to the Sunshine State.

Governor Scott has cited this kind of R&D work as a catalyst for attracting leading engineers, scientists, and students to Florida as they define the future of transportation. The state also is hopeful that this research will unlock innovations that will bring safety advances to Florida drivers sooner.

To highlight the role that the Florida is playing in the development of automated driving and connected cars, Audi will hold a press conference with Governor Scott July 28 and immediately after the press conference, members of the media will be offered the opportunity to experience the technology first hand in the driver’s seat of the Audi A7.