Self-driving vehicles, also known as autonomous vehicles, are cars that can drive themselves without human intervention. They use cameras, sensors, artificial intelligence, and software to perceive the environment, navigate the roads, and avoid obstacles. Self-driving vehicles have the potential to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, enhance mobility, and create new business opportunities.
But how close are we to being able to use self-driving vehicles in our daily lives? The answer is not so simple, as different automakers have different definitions and timelines for achieving self-driving capabilities. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has defined six levels of vehicle driving automation systems, ranging from level 0 (no automation) to level 5 (full automation). Right now, most cars on the road are at level 1 or 2, which means they can assist the driver with some functions such as steering, braking, or accelerating, but still require the driver to remain alert and in control. Level 3 means the car can take over the driving task under certain conditions, but the driver must be ready to intervene when needed. Level 4 means the car can drive itself in a specific area or situation, such as a highway or a city, without human intervention. Level 5 means the car can drive itself anywhere and anytime, without any human input.
According to predictions from the top 11 global automakers1, some of them aim to achieve level 3 or 4 autonomy by 2020 or 2021, while others expect to reach level 5 by 2025 or 20302. However, these predictions are based on technical feasibility and do not account for other factors such as regulatory approval, consumer acceptance, ethical issues, and cybersecurity risks. Therefore, it is likely that self-driving vehicles will be introduced gradually and incrementally in different markets and scenarios, rather than suddenly and universally.
Some examples of self-driving experiments that are currently underway include:
- Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has been testing its self-driving cars in several cities across the US since 2009. It has also launched a robo-taxi service called Waymo One in Phoenix, Arizona, where customers can hail a ride in a fully driverless car3.
- Uber, the ride-hailing giant, has been developing its own self-driving technology since 2015. It has partnered with several automakers such as Volvo and Toyota to equip their vehicles with its software and hardware. It has also conducted trials in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto, and other cities3.
- Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has been working on self-driving trucks since 2014. It has demonstrated its technology on public roads in Germany and Nevada. It has also teamed up with Bosch to launch a robo-taxi service in San Jose, California3.
- The US Postal Service has partnered with TuSimple, a self-driving truck startup, to test its technology on long-haul routes between Phoenix and Dallas. The trucks still have human safety drivers on board, but they aim to reduce fuel costs and delivery time3.
These are just some of the examples of how self-driving vehicles are making progress and promises in the automotive industry. However, there are still many challenges and questions that need to be addressed before they can become widely available and accepted by the public. Some of these include:
- How safe are self-driving vehicles compared to human drivers? How can they handle unpredictable situations such as bad weather, road hazards, or human errors? How can they communicate with other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, or emergency vehicles?
- How reliable are self-driving vehicles in terms of performance and maintenance? How can they cope with technical glitches or cyberattacks? How can they be updated and repaired?
- How responsible are self-driving vehicles for their actions and decisions? Who is liable in case of an accident or injury involving a self-driving vehicle? How can they be programmed to follow ethical principles and social norms?
- How accessible are self-driving vehicles for different groups of people such as seniors, disabled people, low-income people, or rural residents? How can they ensure privacy and security for their passengers and data? How can they balance convenience and affordability?
These are some of the issues that need to be resolved before self-driving vehicles can become a reality for everyone. As technology advances and society adapts, we may see more self-driving vehicles on the road in the near future. However, we may also need to rethink our relationship with cars and transportation as a whole.
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