Self-driving cars are not a thing of the past, but a reality that is shaping the future of transportation. So far, there are major milestones in autonomous vehicle technology making self-driving cars a significant part of modern mobility that cannot be ignored. Autonomous driving is gaining momentum because of its increased safety, efficiency, and reduced traffic congestion.
However, the journey to fulfilling this concept has faced numerous obstacles such as ethical dilemmas, safety concerns, and regulatory hurdles. Despite the obstacles, self-driving vehicles have reached a point of no return and future advancements could redefine how we move.
How Self-Driving Cars Work and The Role Played by AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) plus high-resolution cameras, radar, and LiDAR are the core elements of self-driving technology. These elements work together to help autonomous cars detect obstacles, read traffic signs, and make decisions in real time. To attain this, vast amounts of data from the vehicle’s surroundings are processed by AI-powered algorithms enabling vehicles to navigate safely without human control.
Autonomous driving has different levels from 0 to 5 with 5 being the level where a car operates on its own while 0 is where the driver has full control. Most cars fall under level 3 or 2 because they require some degree of human oversight. Many companies like Tesla, Cruise, and Waymo are working aggressively to have vehicles on level 5.
Artificial Intelligence is the backbone of self-driving cars because it enables cars to make split-second decisions, recognize objects on the road, and adapt to different road conditions. These AI systems are developed using deep learning algorithms that enable vehicles to collect data and be able to learn based on past experiences.
What are the Benefits of Self-Driving Cars?
The adoption of autonomous driving technology could increase road safety because it would eradicate human errors which is a main cause of accidents among level 0 cars. With autonomous vehicles, there will be no intoxication, or exhaustion among drivers making them safer.
Besides safety, self-driving cars could make transportation more efficient by reducing traffic congestion. This is possible because of AI-driven route optimization, the ability to predict traffic flow, and the ability of vehicles to communicate with each other thus preventing unnecessary delays.
Autonomous vehicles could also revolutionize logistics and delivery services by enabling them to operate 24/7 and also reducing labor costs and improving supply chain efficiency. Companies like Amazon and UPS are already analyzing the viability of using self-driving delivery systems thus expanding the boundaries of autonomous transportation.
The Industry Leaders in Autonomous Driving
Several companies are at the forefront of autonomous driving and they are investing heavily to achieve level 5 self-driving vehicles.
Waymo is one of these companies and is currently offering its autonomous Waymo rides in Austin on the Uber app. When requesting an Uber ride, you now have the option to select a Waymo fully autonomous all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicle at no additional cost.
Tesla on the other hand has Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems and is still leading the charge in AI-driven self-driving technology but at level 4 meaning they still require human intervention.
General Motors Cruise Division is also determined to launch ride-sharing services using its self-driving cars and the process is already being tested on public roads.
Kodiak has officially handed off two autonomous trucks to its customer Atlas Energy Solutions and this marks the first commercial launch for this automaker. According to the CEO and founder of Kodiak, Don Burnette, Atlas has delivered 100 loads using these self-driving trucks. Other competitors like Aurora Innovation and Wabi have also carried out commercial pilots for consumers on highways.
With such major advancements in AI and automation, self-driving cars are set to redefine how people travel and how goods are transported. Additionally, they are set to redefine how cities and more so roads are designed. Although there are quite some challenges ahead, the self-driving concept is still viable and soon, it might be part of daily life.