Autonomy-based cars 'in production by 2010'

6 March 2002: Production cars based on GM's revolutionary Autonomy fuel cell car platform are likely in another seven years, according to the company's vice-president for Research and Development Dr Larry Burns (pictured above with Opel Ireland's marketing manager Micheala Dennehy).

Speaking to irishcar.com at the Geneva Motor Show, Dr Burns said fuel cell technology and a complex 'drive-by-wire' system to handle power distribution, brakes, and other management systems for the car are already well advanced, and the driving force behind the use of the technology will be the development of better methods of storing hydrogen.

Dr Burns also said driving the car will be an extraordinarily fun experience, as the prospect of having four individually-driven wheels which can be independently managed by the 'drive-by-wire' systems will allow much more control than available in current cars.

He also envisages a platform and propulsion system which will have a life of at least 20 years, and which will be completely pollution free.

A detailed report on our interview with Dr Burns will appear on irishcar.com in the coming week.

©2002irishcar.com

March 2002