Plotting the vehicle autonomy revolution

Advanced vehicle-technology and future-mobility expert Larry Burns makes a compelling case for driverless, shared vehicles in urban use.

Larry Burns has spent much of his 40-year career peering far beyond the horizon in search of future-mobility solutions. As General Motors' Vice President of Research & Development and Strategic Planning from 1998-2009, Burns was a vocal proponent of energy diversity. He was one of the first high-ranking OEM engineers to predict how the rise of global megacities will impact personal vehicle design, technology, and ownership.

But he's perhaps best known for spearheading two of the auto industry's most innovative and inspiring concept vehicle programs. The AUTOnomy and Hy-wire, unveiled by GM in 2001 and 2002, sparked the public's imagination with a flexible “skateboard” chassis, fully by-wire/ digital control systems, advanced propulsion, and roomy occupant-centric packaging ideas that experts say are influencing designs for next-generation autonomous vehicles.