The Future of Self-Driving Cars and Autonomous Vehicles
Self-driving cars (also referred to as driverless cars, autopilots or robotic cars) are vehicles that utilize machine intelligence for driving without human intervention.
Although self-driving cars offer numerous advantages, there remain several obstacles that must be overcome before they become a common sight on our roadways.
Safety
Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles have the potential to save lives by reducing traffic accidents. Human error accounts for 94% of all road fatalities, so using this technology could make roads safer overall.
Autonomous vehicle technology relies on various sensors to identify obstacles, detect pedestrians and keep tabs on other drivers. Some of these systems, like blind-spot monitors and emergency braking assistance, are already standard equipment in some cars.
However, a March 2018 crash caused by an autonomous Uber car demonstrated the fallibility of these safety systems. For instance, its AI mistook a pedestrian for a car and failed to swerve accordingly.
Other safety issues with automated vehicles remain, such as software system malfunctions and cybersecurity threats. These obstacles could impede progress toward a driverless future and raise questions about displaceing human drivers from roadways which could dispplace millions of people and affect public transportation funding sources.
Convenience
One of the primary advantages of self-driving cars is convenience. If you’re a driver, you understand how frustrating it can be when traffic is congested and it takes forever to get from one place to another. With self-driving cars, however, that won’t be an issue for you!
Autonomous vehicles offer the solution to this problem, as they are capable of automatically spacing out traffic on the road. This makes driving much more comfortable for all drivers.
Self-driving cars are also safer than their human driver counterparts, which could reduce the number of accidents on the road. Not only does this save money, but it could save lives too!
Furthermore, self-driving cars can offer improved access to mobility for those who are currently unable to drive due to physical or psychological reasons. Pensioners in particular stand to benefit from this as they can still get around easily even if they cannot drive their own cars anymore.
Reliability
Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles utilize various sensors to map their environment. These include video cameras, radars and lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors.
These sensors detect obstacles, traffic lights and road signs. Additionally, they track other vehicles to assist the car in navigating.
Consumers value safety features of cars, but to truly be reliable, the technology must be improved and equipped with the ability to detect and address potential issues before they become major problems.
Another challenge faced by autonomous cars is software failure, which can make maneuvering difficult. This is especially true when objects are present on the road. Autonomous cars must have the capacity to swerve or slow down in such instances.
Cost
When considering purchasing a self-driving car, the first factor you should take into account is cost. At present, this technology is still developing so prices may be quite high initially; however, with time these cars could become cheaper as production advances.
Another advantage of self-driving vehicles is that they will reduce your insurance premiums. This is because they are safer than traditional cars and the risk of accidents is lower, thus leading to lower premiums.
Finally, self-driving cars will also help alleviate traffic congestion in your city. This will enable you to skip traffic jams and the stress associated with driving through it.
Many people mistakenly assume self-driving cars are only for fun, but there are actually some real advantages to having one. Not only does it make life simpler, but you may even get some peace of mind while driving yourself – making the price tag worthwhile in the end!