“My Trust Issues Wouldn’t Allow Me”: Man Sleeps While His Volvo XC90 Is on Autopilot, SA Stunned

• A man shared a video of himself comfortably sleeping in the driver’s seat while his luxury car, valued at over R1.5 million, navigated a highway using its autopilot
• The jaw-dropping clip shared on TikTok went viral, sparking intense debate about trust and technology on the road
• Social media users were divided, with many admiring the dream car and technology, while others admitted they had too many trust issues to attempt such an act
• Briefly News spoke with Tendani Muthumuni, owner of TD Autoworx, a specialist in small engine and high-tech vehicle maintenance, about the viral use of autonomous driving

A video showcasing a luxury Volvo’s advanced semi-autonomous features captured the attention of social media users, turning a routine drive into a viral sensation.

The clip shared on TikTok by @jb_sibanda showed a powerful demonstration of modern automotive technology, impressing many viewers and shocking others.

The video was filmed by a person sitting in the passenger seat. It shows TikTok user @jb_sibanda sleeping in the driver’s seat, with both his legs away from the car controls and resting crossed on the person in the passenger seat.

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The man cruises on the Volvo XC90’s autopilot

The vehicle is cruising down the road, soundtracked by a classic song from American singer Tamia. The caption confirms that the car is operating entirely on autopilot.

Volvo XC90: Safety, luxury, and pilot assist

The Volvo XC90 is defined as a spacious, large, mild hybrid SUV starting from R1,555,500, built on industry-leading safety standards. The car is equipped with advanced driver support systems that enable semi-autonomous driving. These features are part of Volvo’s commitment to safety, allowing the vehicle to maintain a set speed and distance, and assist with steering to keep the car centred in its lane.

The standard B5 AWD powertrain delivers power efficiently, while luxury features like Thor’s Hammer, Matrix-design LED headlights, and available Bower & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system complete the premium experience. The XC90’s primary focus is providing a safe, comfortable, and intelligent ride for up to seven passengers. Source: Volvo Cars South Africa.

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Safety in SA roads remains Volvo South Africa's top priority

The Volvo South Africa team spoke to the Briefly News team, advising drivers to always adhere to Mzansi's road rules for their safety and other motorists. Explaining the Volvo XC90's functionality, they said:

"The Volvo XC90 is equipped with Level 2 driver assistance, designed to support the driver rather than replace them. Features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and collision avoidance assistance enhance safety, but drivers must remain attentive and keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times. Upholding Volvo’s long-standing commitment to protecting lives, we encourage all drivers to use these systems responsibly."

A mechanic’s view on trusting tech on SA roads

The Briefly News team spoke with Tendani Muthumuni to get an expert’s take on the Volvo XC90’s semi-autonomous features and whether drivers can, or should, trust advanced technology enough to fall asleep at the wheel.

We asked the mechanic what technical limitations of a system like the Volvo’s pilot assist, and why manufacturers warn against drivers fully relying on it. He said:

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“Pilot assist is level 2 autonomy, meaning it assists, but the human driver is still needed. It handles steering and speed, but it cannot navigate complex, unpredictable scenarios like construction zones or Mzansi’s sudden potholes. The manufacturer warns against full dependence because they know the technology is assistive, not fully autonomous.”

The team asked how the perception of a car’s safety, like that of the Volvo XC90, influences a driver’s willingness to use these features. The car expert shared:

“Volvo has built its brand on safety, which creates high trust. People feel safer trusting a Volvo system than perhaps another brand. That said, I still advise clients that a computer cannot replace common sense or the human ability to anticipate reckless drivers, which we have plenty of.”

When the team asked what specific mechanical or software failure could occur while a car is on autopilot that the sleeping driver would not be able to react to quickly. Tendani responded:

“The most dangerous failure is a sensor or camera blockage (from mud or sun glare) or a sudden software glitch. If the system stops engaging, the car requires immediate human input. If you’re asleep, that critical window of reaction time is gone, making the car very dangerous.

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SA reacts to the self-driving Volvo

The clip went viral, attracting massive views, likes, and comments from social media users who were impressed by the car, and some who weren’t too trusting of the autopilot feature. Many viewers complimented the luxury car, with some declaring it their dream car. Some shared that their anxiety wouldn’t let them sleep while the car drove on its own, even though it is deemed safe. Others raised practical concerns specific to South African roads, worried about reckless drivers, randomly switching lanes, and the potential for a collision to breach the system’s safety limits.

User @khosi321🇿🇦 added:

"My trust issues and trauma would never allow me."

User @Jaydan commented:

"Even on autopilot, I'll never be able to sleep like that. What if the car stops suddenly? Then you go through the window, lol. I'll never put my trust in a car this much 😂."

User @Dipp_Dimples Siphozuluboisitho said:

"I trust Volvo 😆😁. The first automatic side packing was done by Volvo in the 90s."

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User @Humphrey Jan Khoza asked:

"What happens when there's an oncoming car and the other car is in the slow lane? I would never gamble with my life 🤣."

User @Buhle.sihle shared:

"It's all about hard work, bra👌."

User @Nelulu Saynoon🇳🇦 🇳🇦100% said:

"Bro, it's easy to be manipulated by these electronic vehicles. Put your safety first. Even the most trusted Teslas, with extreme sensor detections they don't recommend full trust in their vehicles. The driver should always be fully aware of the whole driving process to access manual control if anything goes wrong 🤔."

User @BURU commented:

"Adaptive cruise control plus lane assist = Auto pilot. Volvo is dope when it comes to this kind of technology."

Watch the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News articles about cars

• A man shared a humorous video boasting about the extreme fuel efficiency of his Bajaj Qute, claiming that a full tank costs him R300, and stunning viewers.
• A new driver shared a video of herself missing an off-ramp on the N1 highway because she was scared to change lanes and ended up in another city.
• A one-year-old toddler pulled up in his white mini Mercedes-Benz on a public road, followed by his parents, who navigated his car in their own car.

Source: Briefly News