A century ago, the concept of a self-driving car was strictly in the realm of sci-fi, although in December 1926, the Milwaukee Sentinel reported that a “phantom car” would be exhibited on city streets!
Leading newspapers and journals had predicted as recently as 2015 that 2020 would render us all “permanent backseat drivers” and more than 10 million self-driving cars would be on the roads.
Well, that hasn’t happened but the idea stubbornly persists, with leading auto-makers investing big money in automation R&D, though no product has reached the market yet. Many people who still ask the question “What is a self-driving car?”.
Autonomous Cars
Self-driving cars are also called autonomous vehicles, robo-cars, CAVs (connected autonomous vehicles), driverless cars, etc. There is some debate about the true definition. Vehicle manufacturers and citizens’ organizations have not agreed on whether the term refers to fully automated vehicles, or vehicles equipped with a higher level of automation and driver assisted technologies.
Currently, the concept of a self-driving car is one that means a car that is controlled by a computer and can drive itself. In such vehicles, human drivers are not required to operate the vehicle or take control for safety.
Driverless cars comprise sensors and software that deal with navigation, control, and driving. Design details may differ according to each manufacturer, but basics include
- Detailed internal maps that are built using a range of radars, sensors, high-powered cameras, sonar sensors, laser beams, etc.
- Inputs being processed by sophisticated software to plot the correct path, and convey instructions that enable the vehicle’s movements, acceleration, steering and braking.
- Avoidance algorithms, smart object sensing and discrimination, obstacle/obstruction avoidance, predictive modeling, etc. that allow the vehicle to follow traffic rules.
Levels of Automation and Autonomy
These levels elaborate the extent of control at both ends.
- Level 0
Completely controlled by humans. - Level 1
Single systems such as auto braking or cruise-control can be controlled. - Level 2
Two simultaneously automated functions available, such as braking and steering. However, humans remain in control. - Level 3
Safety-critical operations are managed in pre-determined situations, but driver must intervene when they gets an alert. - Level 4
Completely autonomous under special driving scenarios - Level 5
Completely autonomous under all driving scenarios
Concerns
The true impact of self-driving cars has not yet been fully assessed. There are concerns regarding public safety, legal implications and environmental health. Accident liability, federal vs state traffic regulations, and the ability of human drivers to take split-second decisions etc are unanswered questions. The economic fall-out could affect thousands of jobs where people are employed as chauffeurs, drivers, etc. and negatively impact public transportation systems. Unless the development of safe and clean electricity-driven vehicles is simultaneously pursued, the environmental impact of millions of gasoline-fueled vehicles on the roads seems to be a looming health hazard.
Lidar and Radar systems are expensive and their signals could interfere with each other if multiple radio frequencies clash with each other. In snow or rain, road markings get obscured and could interfere with the cameras.
