The Volvo XC90 was today unveiled in Adelaide’s Riverbank Precinct, but it will be put through its paces on the weekend as the first driverless vehicle to go through on-road testing in the Southern Hemisphere.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said the trial would put the state in the global spotlight: “Our Government is providing the conditions for these trials to occur in South Australia because we recognise the immense benefits that autonomous vehicles and intelligent transport systems will bring to our communities.”

“We are committed to providing the right laws to allow for testing of autonomous vehicles in our state to ensure that this weekend’s Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative demonstrations are the first of many.”

Volvo Car Australia managing director Kevin McCann emphasised the importance of “encouraging government to make the necessary regulatory changes” to facilitate the introduction of “autonomous drive vehicles” to Australian roads.

The State Government has introduced legislation to allow for future similar trials.

An International Driverless Cars Conference kicks off in Adelaide tomorrow.

The Southern Expressway will be closed in both directions between Sherriffs Road at Lonsdale and Main South Road at Old Noarlunga on Saturday from 6am to 1pm.

An online feed of the trial will be available in real time.