The Future of Driving: Why Autonomous Cars are Here to Stay
Picture yourself on a long road trip, or driving back and forth to work every day, and never having to lay a finger on the wheel. Sounds like a dream, right? It isn’t. Self-driving vehicles, also known as autonomous cars, are already here, and they’re set to revolutionize the way we move from point A to point B.
The Best Autonomous Car
The jury is still out on which car manufacturers are making the best autonomous vehicles. However, in 2020, Tesla topped the charts followed by Waymo, the self-driving subsidiary of Alphabet, then General Motors’ Cruise division.
Tesla has done an excellent job of marketing its vehicles as being autonomous, although the vehicles are not fully self-driving yet. Tesla’s Autopilot system has been very successful, enabling the car to self-steer, self-accelerate, and self-brake, among other things.
Waymo, on the other hand, has a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, and is currently testing eight new self-driving Pacifica minivans in the city.
General Motors is another company that’s making strides in the autonomous car space. The company’s Cruise division has been operating on the streets of San Francisco for years, and they’re now testing their vehicles in cities like Detroit and Phoenix. Cruise was the first automaker to receive a permit to test self-driving vehicles without human backups in California.
How to Succeed in Autonomous Car
As the trend towards autonomous cars gains momentum, being prepared will be essential to succeeding in the industry. Here are some ways you can position yourself for success:
Stay ahead of emerging technologies
Stay up to date with new technologies that will be central to autonomous vehicles, such as machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. Consider taking training courses, attending conferences, or networking with like-minded people in the industry.
Develop expertise in functional safety
People who have experience in functional safety of autonomous vehicles are going to be in high demand in the future. To become an expert in functional safety, consider pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a similar field. Increase your expertise by obtaining a certification in functional safety approved by automotive standards.
Embrace change
The autonomous car industry is going to change rapidly. Being open and adaptable to change will be critical in navigating through the industry.
The Benefits of Autonomous Car
The major advantage of autonomous cars is that they have the potential to save lives. Self-driving technology can eliminate human errors that lead to accidents caused by impairment, fatigue, or distractions. Autonomous technology also facilitates faster and safer transportation, increasing the productivity and efficiency of the transportation industry.
Another benefit of autonomous cars is their ability to reduce congestion on highways as well as overall carbon emissions. Autonomous vehicles can optimize routes, speed, and spacing, leading to a reduction of environmental pollutants that harm the atmosphere.
Challenges of Autonomous Car and How to Overcome Them
Few emerging technologies come without drawbacks. Similarly, the autonomous vehicle industry is poised to face a few hurdles. The following are the biggest challenges facing the industry:
Security
Given the increasing dependence on technology, cybersecurity will be critical. The public must be assured that the technology is protected against hacking and malicious attacks.
Infrastructure and Regulations
The transportation infrastructure must be prepared as autonomous cars will require particular road markings, signals, and protocols. Roadways must be prepared to handle the new technology, which will require significant investment. Additionally, laws, policies, and regulations must be enacted to provide clarity for the operation of autonomous vehicles.
Cost and Technical Challenges
As autonomous technology continues to evolve, its production cost will decrease. Even so, the initial cost of developing self-driving vehicles can be immense, which can make it challenging for some automakers to keep up with larger and well-budgeted manufacturers in the industry.
Tools and Technologies for Effective Autonomous Car
To make autonomous cars a reality, several technologies are required, including:
Computer Vision
Computer vision enables cameras and sensors on autonomous cars to detect objects and alert the control system to make necessary driving decisions.
Communication Networks
Future autonomous cars will communicate with other vehicles, traffic lights, pedestrians, and road infrastructures over a wireless network, increasing efficiency and reducing incidents on the road.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies help in decision-making, learning from driving experiences by learning from thousands of hours of driving data.
Best Practices for Managing Autonomous Car
Managing autonomous cars is a task that will require the collaboration of different stakeholders. Here are some best practices suited for a successful autonomous car program:
Engage in robust testing
Advanced simulators will be required to test self-driving cars in real-world scenarios. Simulators can offer an excellent way to validate software and hardware necessary for the vehicle to operate.
Effective Stakeholder Communication
Effective stakeholder communication is a critical pillar in the successful launch of an autonomous car program. Members of the public, government officials, and other stakeholders must have adequate information about the safety and economic benefits of self-driving vehicles.
In conclusion, autonomous cars are transforming the transportation industry as we know it. Though it won’t happen overnight, companies that prepare adequately for the upcoming technological revolution are sure to emerge strong and successful. We can all look forward to the day when we’ll relax in our vehicles and let the machine do the driving, while we focus on other things.