Self-Driving Technology: What is it and What are its Prospects?

Self-driving technology is a term that describes a wide range of technologies that allow cars to drive themselves without human input. This technology has been around for many years, but it has only recently become more widespread and advanced. In this article, we will explain what self-driving technology is, how it works, what are its advantages and disadvantages, how it can prevent risks and errors, what companies are developing it, what countries are adopting it and whether it will become the norm in the near future.

What is self-driving technology?

Self-driving technology is a combination of electric and computer engineering, physics, artificial intelligence and a lot of experience. The first thing that a self-driving car needs to do is navigate its way around the world. To do this, it uses a network of high-tech devices such as cameras, sensors, radars and computers. These devices enable the car to perceive, think and act like a human driver.

• Perceive: The car's perception system processes visual and audio data from outside and inside the car to create a local model of the vehicle, the road, traffic, traffic controls and other observable objects, and their relative motion. The car uses cameras for identifying shapes and colors, LIDARs for measuring distances and shapes, and radars for detecting moving objects. 
• Think: The car's thinking system uses the local model, a road map and driving regulations to plan the best route and actions for the car. The car uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn from past experiences and optimize its performance. The car also communicates with other cars and infrastructure to coordinate its movements and avoid collisions. 
• Act: The car's acting system executes the planned actions by controlling the vehicle's speed, steering, braking and other functions. The car uses electric and mechanical components to move the car smoothly and safely. The car also monitors its own systems and alerts the human driver or the remote operator if there is any problem or emergency. 

How Did Self-Driving Technology Develop?

Self-driving technology has a long history of experiments and trials. The first attempts to create self-driving cars date back to the 1920s, when some cars were equipped with radio-controlled systems. The first semi-autonomous car was developed in 1977 by Japan's Tsukuba Mechanical Engineering Laboratory. It required specially marked streets and an elevated rail to guide it.  In the 1980s and 1990s, several research projects funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the European Union (EU) demonstrated the feasibility of autonomous driving on highways and urban roads.   In the 2000s and 2010s, the technology became more sophisticated and reliable, thanks to the advances in computing power, artificial intelligence, sensor technology and wireless communication. Several companies, such as Google, Tesla, Uber, and others, started to test and deploy self-driving cars on public roads, with varying degrees of human supervision.   

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-dDriving Technology?

Self-driving technology has the potential to bring many benefits to the automotive industry, mobility costs, health, welfare, urban planning, traffic, insurance, labor market and other domains. Some of the main advantages are:

• Safety: Self-driving cars can reduce human errors, which are the main cause of traffic accidents. Self-driving cars can also react faster and more accurately than human drivers, and avoid risky behaviors such as speeding, drunk driving, or distracted driving. According to some estimates, self-driving cars could prevent up to 90% of road fatalities and injuries.  
• Efficiency: Self-driving cars can optimize their routes and speeds, and coordinate with other cars and infrastructure, to reduce traffic congestion and fuel consumption. Self-driving cars can also use the road space more efficiently, and park themselves in optimal locations, to free up more space for other uses. According to some estimates, self-driving cars could save up to 40% of travel time and 30% of energy.  
• Convenience: Self-driving cars can offer more comfort and convenience to the passengers, who can use the freed-up time for more productive or enjoyable activities, such as working, reading, sleeping, or watching a movie. Self-driving cars can also provide more mobility and accessibility to people who cannot or do not want to drive, such as the elderly, the disabled, or the children. According to some estimates, self-driving cars could increase the average travel distance per person by up to 25%.  

However, self-driving technology also faces many challenges and drawbacks, such as:

• Cost: Self-driving cars are still very expensive to produce and maintain, due to the high cost of the sensors, computers, and software. Self-driving cars also require a lot of data and computing power to operate, which may increase the demand for electricity and internet bandwidth. According to some estimates, self-driving cars could cost up to 10 times more than conventional cars.  
• Reliability: Self-driving cars are still not perfect and may encounter situations that they cannot handle, such as bad weather, complex road conditions, or unexpected events. Self-driving cars may also malfunction or be hacked, which could compromise their safety and security. Self-driving cars also depend on the availability and accuracy of the maps, the GPS, and the communication networks, which may not be always reliable. According to some estimates, self-driving cars could still cause up to 10% of road accidents and injuries.  
• Ethics: Self-driving cars may face ethical dilemmas, such as how to balance the safety of the passengers, the pedestrians, and the other road users, or how to respect the privacy and the preferences of the passengers, the owners, and the regulators. Self-driving cars may also raise moral questions, such as who is responsible for the actions and the outcomes of the self-driving cars, or how to ensure the fairness and the transparency of the self-driving cars. According to some surveys, self-driving cars may face public distrust and resistance, due to the lack of human control and accountability.  

How Can Self-Driving Technology Prevent Risks and Errors?

Self-driving technology is still evolving and improving, and there are many ways to prevent or mitigate the risks and errors associated with it. Some of the main methods are:

• Testing: Self-driving cars need to undergo rigorous and extensive testing, both in simulated and real-world environments, to ensure their functionality, reliability, and safety. Self-driving cars need to be tested under different scenarios, conditions, and regulations, and with different levels of human intervention and supervision. Self-driving cars also need to be evaluated and certified by independent and qualified authorities, before they are allowed to operate on public roads.  
• Monitoring: Self-driving cars need to have constant and effective monitoring, both internally and externally, to detect and correct any problems or anomalies. Self-driving cars need to have sensors and indicators that monitor their own systems and performance, and alert the human driver or the remote operator if there is any issue or emergency. Self-driving cars also need to have cameras and recorders that monitor their surroundings and actions, and provide evidence and feedback for analysis and improvement.  
• Regulating: Self-driving cars need to follow clear and consistent rules and standards, both nationally and internationally, to ensure their compatibility, interoperability, and accountability. Self-driving cars need to comply with the existing traffic laws and regulations, and adapt to the local customs and cultures. Self-driving cars also need to have specific and updated regulations that address their unique features and challenges, such as the definition and classification of autonomy, the allocation and transfer of liability, the protection and sharing of data, and the resolution and prevention of conflicts.  

What Companies Are Developing Self-Driving Technology?

Self-driving technology is a highly competitive and innovative field, and there are many companies that are developing and deploying it. Some of the leading companies are:

• Waymo: Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Waymo is one of the pioneers and the leaders of self-driving technology, and has been testing and operating self-driving cars since 2009. Waymo has a fleet of over 600 self-driving cars, mostly modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans, that can drive autonomously on public roads in several US cities, such as Phoenix, San Francisco, and Detroit. Waymo also offers a self-driving taxi service, called Waymo One, to selected customers in Arizona. Waymo claims to have the most advanced and reliable self-driving system, which uses a combination of cameras, LIDARs, radars, and artificial intelligence.  
• Tesla: Tesla is a company that produces electric and autonomous vehicles, founded by Elon Musk. Tesla is one of the most popular and influential companies in the self-driving market, and has been selling and updating self-driving cars since 2014. Tesla has a fleet of over 1 million self-driving cars, mostly Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, that can drive autonomously on highways and some urban roads, using a system called Autopilot. Tesla also offers a more advanced and experimental system, called Full Self-Driving (FSD), to some customers, which can handle more complex scenarios, such as traffic lights, stop signs, and roundabouts. Tesla claims to have the most innovative and scalable self-driving system, which uses a combination of cameras, neural networks, and software updates.  
• Uber: Uber is a company that provides ride-hailing and delivery services, founded by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. Uber is one of the most ambitious and controversial companies in the self-driving market, and has been testing and operating self-driving cars since 2016. Uber has a fleet of over 300 self-driving cars, mostly modified Volvo XC90 SUVs, that can drive autonomously on public roads in several US cities, such as Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington DC. Uber also offers a self-driving taxi service, called Uber ATG, to selected customers in some locations. Uber claims to have the most diverse and realistic self-driving system, which uses a combination of cameras, LIDARs, radars, and machine learning.  
• Baidu: Baidu is a company that provides internet and artificial intelligence services, founded by Robin Li and Eric Xu. Baidu is one of the most dominant and successful companies in the self-driving market, and has been testing and operating self-driving cars since 2015. Baidu has a fleet of over 500 self-driving cars, mostly modified Lincoln MKZ sedans, that can drive autonomously on public roads in several Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing. Baidu also offers a self-driving taxi service, called Apollo Go, to the general public in some areas. Baidu claims to have the most open and collaborative self-driving system, which uses a combination of cameras, LIDARs, radars, and deep learning, and is shared with over 200 partners, such as Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen.  

What Countries Are Adopting Self-Driving Technology?

Self-driving technology is a global phenomenon, and there are many countries that are adopting and promoting it. Some of the leading countries are:

• China: China is the world's largest and fastest-growing market for self-driving technology, and has a strong government support and a huge consumer demand for it. China has over 200,000 kilometers of roads that are open for self-driving testing, and over 100 cities that have issued self-driving licenses. China also has over 60 companies that are developing and deploying self-driving cars, such as Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Didi. China aims to become the world leader in self-driving technology by 2030, and to have 50% of new car sales to be self-driving by 2025.  
• USA: USA is the world's most advanced and competitive market for self-driving technology, and has a rich history and a vibrant ecosystem of innovation for it. USA has over 50 states that have different laws and regulations for self-driving testing and operation, and over 80 cities that have hosted self-driving trials. USA also has over 160 companies that are developing and deploying self-driving cars, such as Waymo, Tesla, Uber, and GM. USA aims to maintain its global leadership in self-driving technology by 2030, and to have 25% of new car sales to be self-driving by 2025.  
• Europe: Europe is the world's most diverse and collaborative market for self-driving technology, and has a high standard and a strong vision for it. Europe has over 30 countries that have harmonized and updated their laws and regulations for self-driving testing and operation, and over 40 cities that have participated in self-driving projects. Europe also has over 120 companies that are developing and deploying self-driving cars, such as Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Renault. Europe aims to become the world leader in self-driving technology by 2030, and to have 33% of new car sales to be self-driving by 2025.  

Will Self-Driving Technology Become the Norm In the Near Future?

Self-driving technology is one of the most disruptive and transformative technologies of the 21st century, and has the potential to change the way we travel, work, live, and interact. However, self-driving technology is also one of the most complex and challenging technologies of the 21st century, and faces many technical, social, ethical, and legal hurdles. Therefore, the adoption and diffusion of self-driving technology will depend on many factors, such as the cost, the performance, the reliability, the safety, the regulation, the acceptance, and the preference of the self-driving cars and their users. According to some forecasts, self-driving technology will become more common and widespread in the next decade, but will not replace human drivers completely in the foreseeable future.   

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