Self-driving cars have long been the stuff of futuristic movies and science fiction novels. But what many people may not realize is that self-driving cars have actually been around for awhile. New developments as well as challenges are surrounding the rise of autonomous vehicles. The following information describes the latest news regarding these amazing vehicles, some of the companies that are developing them, and the challenges that lay ahead.
Imagine if people could more easily and safely be transported without actually having to drive? Promoters of autonomous vehicles insist they are not only the wave of the future but will make our streets safer and less congested. Since over 90 percent of all accidents on the road involve human error, the technology behind self-driving cars could dramatically reduce accidents while helping millions of people who, for various reasons, are unable to drive.
These cars are equipped with a variety of sensors, video cameras, and GPS, which all works together to enable the car to divert obstacles and follow traffic signals. There is also a central computer that analyzes all of the sensor input. The technology involved in a successful self-driving car is already developed and ready for the road. While traditional car makers are lagging behind in the self-driving car revolution, the tech companies are already ahead of the curve.
One of the companies that have developed an autonomous car is Google. Google is expanding on its line of self-driving vehicles by sending a few of these cars to Austin, Texas. The prototypes are currently being tested in Austin while a Google employee rides along. By August 31, 2015 Google's self-driving car had already logged over one million miles without the assistance of a driver. Google has reported that there have only been 16 accidents with their tiny cars since the project started. These were all the fault of the other vehicles in the accident.
While Google has led the way in self-driving cars, Apple has also thrown their hat into the ring. Apple has started looking into obtaining a car testing site in California to begin testing its vehicles. Apple's project is currently code-named Project Titan. Apple has even met with the Department of Motor Vehicles to discuss the regulations that would be involved with self-driving cars. The UK has also been working on their own self-driving car with the Lutz Pathfinder that runs with an electric motor. The vehicle can go about six hours before needing refueling.
And just this week, General Motors announced that it will cut $5.5 billion from their manufacturing, purchasing and administrative costs over the next three years, helping to fund their own initiatives into self-driving cars as well as car- and ride-sharing services. GM said it will begin testing a fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid cars in late 2016 at its technical center campus near Detroit.
Coming up with cool prototypes and successful test driving is one thing, autonomous vehicles becoming an everyday aspect of our lives is another. The are several challenges that need to be addressed. For starters, how will self-driving cars handle the busiest highways and rush hour traffic? There is the problem with bad weather conditions that can quickly change while the car is on the road. There's also the concern that these types of vehicles may be targets for hacking. While the technology for autonomous vehicles is advancing at a fast clip, these questions will need to be addressed. There are also the legal aspects to consider.
The DMV in California has already begun developing guidelines and regulations for the operation of self-driving cars on public roads. These regulations will help establish manufacturer requirements regarding self-driving cars as well. Autonomous cars will need to be tested and meet safety regulations before consumers can regularly operate them on public roads. While the DMV has not yet finished drafting these rules, the state of California is expected to take a leading role in influencing the national rules that will affect driverless cars nationwide.
There are legal implications that go beyond rules and regulations that the DMV may come up with. If an accident were to occur who would be held legally responsible? This is just one of many questions that will need to be addressed as we continue to move into the brave new world of self-driving cars.
