Self-driving cars - a dream or a reality to be realized?

We've seen her in science fiction movies many times, not alone; she had planes with her too!

But today, especially with the development of artificial intelligence and the acceleration of innovation, we see the dream come true.

Self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), are vehicles capable of mobility without human intervention. It relies on a combination of sensors and software to navigate safely and effectively in the surrounding environment.

Self-driving cars have many potential advantages, including:

• Safety: It can help reduce or eliminate car accidents, and there is nothing wrong with the number of accidents in the world in this regard.

• Comfort: It can make transportation more comfortable, as passengers can relax, work or have fun while driving the car.

• Productivity: It can increase productivity, as people can use commuting time to work, study or practice other activities.

• Efficiency: It can reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, as self-driving cars can navigate more efficiently than human drivers.

How do self-driving cars work?

Self-driving cars use a variety of sensors to collect information about their surroundings, including:

• Cameras to take photos and videos of the road, other cars and pedestrians.

• Radar to locate objects and distance them from the car.

• Lidar system to create three-dimensional maps of the surrounding environment. It is an advanced optical system that works by means of special sensors.

• Ultrasonic sensors to detect nearby objects.

This data is then collected and fed into a computer system equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that can process it and make decisions about how to navigate. These decisions include things like:

• Acceleration: Vehicle speed control.

• Steering: Control the direction of the vehicle.

• Braking: Stop or slow down.

The most famous self-driving car experiences

The field of self-driving cars has witnessed many important experiments over the years, which contributed to the development of this technology and the improvement of its capabilities. Here are some of the most popular self-driving car experiences:

1. Google's Waymo Project

The Waymo project is one of the first and most popular programs related to self-driving cars. Google began testing its self-driving cars in 2009, and these cars have traveled more than 20 million miles on the streets of various American cities. In 2018, Waymo launched a self-driving taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona, becoming the first commercial service of its kind in the world.

2. GM Cruise Project

GM acquired Cruise Automation in 2016 and continued to develop its technology for self-driving cars. Cruise conducts extensive testing of its vehicles in San Francisco, where it focuses on improving its capabilities in dealing with complex urban environments.

3. Uber Self-Driving Cars

Uber began testing its self-driving cars in 2016, and the company has faced some challenges along the way, including a fatal accident in 2018. Despite this, Uber continues to develop its technologies, and aims to launch a self-driving taxi service in the near future.

4. Drive.ai

Founded in 2016, Drive.ai is one of the leading self-driving car developers in China. Drive.ai conducts extensive testing of its cars in various Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, and seeks to provide intelligent transportation services in Chinese cities.

5. nuTonomy

Founded in 2013, nuTonomy is a Singapore-based startup focused on developing autonomous driving technologies for electric vehicles. nuTonomy conducts extensive testing of its vehicles in Singapore and is one of the leading self-driving car developers in Southeast Asia.

What are the challenges?

There are still many challenges to overcome before self-driving cars become a reality, including:

Technology: Autonomous driving technology is still under development, and more research and testing is needed before self-driving cars become completely safe and reliable.

Regulations: There are currently no clear regulations governing the operation of self-driving cars, which could create legal uncertainty and liability.

General acceptance: Some people may not be comfortable riding self-driving cars, and more education and awareness may be needed to build confidence in this technology.

What is the future of self-driving cars?

Despite the challenges, many believe that self-driving cars have the potential to radically change the transportation industry. Investment in the development of this technology is made by automakers, technology companies, and governments around the world. We are likely to see self-driving cars on the roads within the next few years, with the potential to become more common in the coming decades.