French car makers achieve autonomous driving first

French smarts: Peugeot Citroen is the first company to get permission to test self driving technology on French roads

A Peugeot Citroen prototype has become the first self-driving car to travel on French public roads, navigating from Paris to Bordeaux fully autonomously.

As the first carmaker to obtain permission for self driving technology testing on the nation's roads, the company had a head start on its rivals. Nevertheless, the 580km trip, completed on Friday is a first for PSA Peugeot Citroen and for France as a whole. As it is the first time an autonomous car has driven on a public road within the country's borders.

Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën said: "The journey made by our prototype today proves that autonomous vehicles are no longer of matter of science fiction. This ushers in a new era for mobility, which I find truly exciting."

In neighbouring Germany, Mercedes-Benz also achieved an autonomous world first on Friday. Its self driving truck became the first production commercial vehicle anywhere in the world to drive itself on a public highway. — AFP Relaxnews