Polestar, the Swedish performance EV brand, has recently partnered with Mobileye, a subsidiary of Intel, to integrate true self-driving capability into its vehicles. The collaboration has resulted in the announcement that Polestar’s upcoming Polestar 4 compact crossover will be equipped with Mobileye’s advanced driver-assist system, SuperVision, and eventually with the more sophisticated Chauffeur system.
SuperVision, which will be available from the start of sales, is capable of handling various road and traffic situations in hands-free mode. However, it still requires the driver to monitor the road at all times and be prepared to take action if necessary. This indicates that the system operates at Level 2 on the SAE scale of self-driving capability. Some of the specific functions of SuperVision include following a navigation route chosen by the driver, changing lanes, passing slower vehicles on multi-lane roads, and handling certain parking situations.
According to the SAE scale, Level 3 is the first stage where drivers are temporarily relieved from monitoring the road, while Level 4 allows drivers to avoid monitoring the road for extended periods, albeit within certain conditions. Level 5 represents the ultimate goal, which refers to a system that can perform equally to a human driver. Polestar has stated that the Chauffeur system, which falls under Level 4, will be implemented in its Polestar 4 in the coming years, providing eyes-off driving on highways. However, the specific conditions under which the Chauffeur system will operate have not been disclosed.
Polestar is not the only automaker collaborating with Mobileye on automated driver-assist technology. Zeekr, another brand owned by Zhejiang Geely, is also working with Mobileye. Additionally, several Volkswagen Group brands, including Porsche, have expressed plans to utilize Mobileye’s advanced technology.
In terms of production and availability, the Polestar 4 will be built in China and is expected to go on sale in that market later this year. It will then be introduced to the U.S. market as a 2025 model the following year, with an estimated starting price of around $60,000. However, the Polestar 3 mid-size SUV, set to launch concurrently with the Polestar 4, will not feature Mobileye’s driver-assist technology due to its distinct platform. Nevertheless, Polestar intends to incorporate Mobileye’s technology into more of its vehicles in the future.
The introduction of Mobileye’s advanced driver-assist systems in Polestar vehicles aims to enhance the driving experience and promote autonomous driving, offering customers the option to enable self-driving capabilities when desired. Thomas Ingenlath, the CEO of Polestar, highlighted the potential of this technology in a statement, emphasizing that it allows customers to make future journeys more enjoyable by enabling autonomous driving when desired.
Overall, the partnership between Polestar and Mobileye signifies a significant step towards achieving true self-driving capabilities in vehicles. By incorporating advanced driver-assist systems, Polestar aims to deliver increased convenience, safety, and an improved driving experience to its customers.