Have Self-Driving Cars Arrived Yet?

With the mere thought of having to plow through heavy traffic for work already elevating stress levels before a Monday morning even begins, it’s no wonder that the concept of vehicles that can drive themselves is an appealing notion for everyday drivers. This emerging transportation evolution that was considered futuristic and far-off is now seemingly on the verge of becoming a reality. Who wouldn’t want to simply push a button and let your car whisk you away in comfort towards your destination while you sleep, watch movies, or play video games? Also called autonomous vehicles, the complex design can be simplified with the notion of a vehicle outfitted with the appropriate cameras and sensors to detect the objects around it and act accordingly.

The hype around autonomous vehicles has increased rapidly over the past years, with many renowned technology companies fully supporting the concept. Still, like every new technology, opinions are divided among different individuals. Some agree that it’s fantastic technology that frees people from the steering wheel, while others are wary that such innovation may lead to dangerous driving circumstances.

Advantages of Autonomous Vehicles

Safety and convenience are both the top priorities of an autonomous vehicle’s design. By drastically reducing or eliminating human error on the road, the chances of accidents and crashes are significantly reduced. Fatigue and getting distracted are some things machines and algorithms won’t have to deal with. They strictly follow the established rules and cooperate with other systems to optimize safety while improving traffic flow and reducing traffic jams. Autonomous vehicles also remove the driver’s hassle of having to search for a parking spot as they’ll be built to do the job themselves. People with physical challenges that hinder their driving efficiency, such as impaired vision, are likely to benefit from self-driving cars. These vehicles would provide better mobility, effortless transportation, and secure travel.

Disadvantages of Autonomous Vehicles

The main disadvantage you can find with an autonomous vehicle is its possibly inadequate technology. Split-second decisions, unpredictable weather conditions, and many other driving factors are real-life circumstances that are perhaps best left for an engaged driver. Technology would be outstandingly helpful when properly used. However, the complicated mechanics of driving revolves around a complex and dynamic effort at multitasking. Without the right technology, there are guaranteed to be many uncertainties that need to be worked on to assure security. Adding to that, the design of roads and lanes differ as the same actions aren’t always the appropriate ones under every circumstance.

As fully autonomous capability is still years away, drivers must be alert and ready to quickly take control when needed; hence labeling autonomous vehicles as “driverless” would be misleading. There’s the case that the active driving assistance systems, which combine vehicle acceleration with braking and steering, can often disengage with minimal notice. The driver needs to immediately step in in this scenario to avoid disaster. Hackers are a constant threat to look out for whenever new technology is available. They are clever individuals, and if they ever apply their skills in negative ways, the results can be harmful. What’s more, the Lithium-Ion batteries utilized by autonomous vehicles are known to be highly combustible. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, if a collision damages a battery, there is a risk of uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure resulting in toxic gas explosion, projectiles launching, and fire.

Recent Notable Progress in the AV Field

The hype around self-driving cars coming into fruition has existed as early as 2004, with the United States performing military experiments involving self-driving vehicles in the Mojave Desert. Although the anticipation slowly diminished with time, the race is still on for various auto manufacturers to become the first to provide driverless vehicles. However, due to technological challenges and uncontrolled events, autonomous cars would still need a more extended period than previously anticipated to reach mass scale.

The SAE International has defined automated vehicles on a scale of 0-5 regarding the level of driver’s assist. Level 5 automated vehicles are probably what most people think of when talking about self-driving cars. This level is where vehicles can drive anywhere and anytime, with or without a driver. Recently, they have updated this chart to include remote technologies and other clarifications to accommodate the expanding development of automated driving technologies. The SAE is making it more apparent that the levels 0 to 2 should be known as "Driver Support Systems," while levels 3 to 5 constitute "Automated Driving Systems." They’ve provided more definitions for the level 3 and level 4 variants, noting that there might be some automated fallback at level 3, while level 4 variants have a possibility of alerts to in-vehicle users.

In San Francisco, renowned manufacturers Waymo and Cruise have applied for permits to charge for rides and delivery using autonomous vehicles. Until now, self-driving cars in San Francisco are utilized on a test basis even though they have been an increasingly common sight. Both companies plan to establish limits during commercial operations to accommodate public concerns regarding safety. Waymo aims to provide rides or transport goods around the clock with a 65mph speed limit. They would turn off autonomous mode in specific locations like construction zones and during heavy rainfall to certify safety. On the other hand, Cruise articulated that its service hours are from late evening to early morning with a 30mph speed limit.

Argo AI, a company backed by Ford and Volkswagen that engineers autonomous vehicle technology, recently revealed their Argo Lidar. This innovation is said to be precise in scanning difficult-to-see objects from far distances of about 400 meters. Argo claims that their self-driving system would be able to navigate left-hand turns with oncoming traffic, adapt effortlessly from darkness to brightly illuminated areas, and identify small objects via just a single sensor.

Meanwhile, a self-driving sensor startup, Aeva Technologies Inc, established by former Apple Inc. engineers, has stated that their sensors can detect other vehicles beyond 500 meters and pedestrians from more than 350 meters. Aeva produces lidar sensors that allow cars to get a three-dimensional map of their road while scanning for distant objects. This increased detection range affords a self-driving vehicle more time to make the proper decisions.

How Governments Are Currently Dealing With Self Driving Cars

How governments place regulations around automotive vehicles is crucial to where the evolution of the transportation industry goes. Ideally, the policies and strategies implemented should take advantage of the perks associated with these vehicles while also reducing risks and unanticipated consequences. The UK government is currently aiming to set rules that narrowly legalize self-driving vehicles. Those with Automated Lane-Keeping Systems or ALKS would be the first hands-free transportation authorized as per their transportation department. This innovation controls the position and speed of a vehicle in a single lane while limiting its miles per hour to a certain degree. The government has even confirmed that although drivers won’t have to monitor the road when the vehicle is driving itself, they will need to stay alert and be ready to take over when the system requires them to and within 10 seconds. Failure to respond results in the vehicle turning on its hazard lights to slowly stop. Today’s best self-driving cars, including those by Tesla, are just considered at level two in terms of autonomous driving. ALKS would be included in the next phase — level three, which won’t require the driver’s full attention, allowing him to do other things like watch a movie or check his phone until the car prompts him to take over.

In South Korea, researchers have established guidelines for autonomous vehicle systems to ensure that they can adequately decide when and how they should take control of a car from its driver. These would assist manufacturers in standardizing protocols for autonomous driving and ensure optimized safety. The state-funded Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute or ETRI had their research team develop guidelines that offer different virtual situations so that professional researchers and ordinary drivers understand the importance of control transfer and when it takes place. They also managed to establish a real-time environment monitoring system that lets the car determine the right time to take control, a co-pilot agent system that improves the communication of a driver and his car, along with a control transfer assessment system that uses artificial intelligence to determine a person's driving efficiency and identify the driving environment in real-time.

Meanwhile in South Africa, their department of transport says that it plans to introduce new regulations to establish the proper environment for testing and developing autonomous vehicles. The department aims to be in a position that quickly responds to the challenges bestowed by evolving technologies. They prioritize strengthening research capabilities regarding safety and innovation while keeping close with the larger research community.

What the Future Holds When Self Driving Cars Arrive

General Motors has made 2020 their end goal to have a fleet of self-driving taxis available in San Francisco, which didn’t come to fruition. Tesla has designated 2021 as the year that they’ll have their autonomous taxis deployed. Despite CEO Elon Musk stating the company was highly confident in achieving full autonomy by then, the goal seems unlikely. Additionally, lab closures, social distancing, and the various complications brought about by the COVID19 pandemic are likely culprits of the progress delay of these companies. By how much remains to be seen.

Humanity has a long way to go in achieving the dream of vehicles that can safely and fully drive themselves towards a destination. If and when we get to that road, you can be certain that there will be considerable changes in the transportation industry. As mentioned earlier, how states decide to regulate these vehicles is a focal point on where the industry goes next. They also need to consider how and when to set the necessary policies. Some argue that regulators should move quickly to issue clear rules. In contrast, others say it’s best to hold off until the technology is in greater use so regulators can study and get more insights into how users interact and utilize them.

Another notion to consider is that infrastructure such as roads and highways are engineered with regards to the human element, so when the time comes that we get level-5 self-driving vehicles, changes in the way engineers plan the state’s infrastructure is certain. What’s more, labor workers and taxi drivers would be at a considerable risk of losing their jobs should autonomous vehicles enter and eventually take over the industry. A solution would be to provide local governments with the authority to decide how many automotive vehicle medallions may be issued and who receives them. By establishing a regulatory structure that requires autonomous vehicles to be meticulously tested and emphasizes the fair distribution of operating licenses, the industry would be more balanced where smaller owners and operators have a chance to stay competitive while driver jobs are protected.