Over the past several years, a growing number of companies have been experimenting with autonomous, or driverless, cars. This technology has the potential to significantly revolutionize the transportation industry, to the benefit of all drivers. But at the same time, safety and security remain key issues. So who is leading the charge into the future? We’re taking an in-depth look at which company has been pioneering the use of driverless cars.
Tesla is one of the most visible companies leading the way in autonomous driving technology. Founded by Elon Musk and backed by deep pockets, the company has invested heavily in R&D and patent applications related to driverless cars. In 2016, the company released its first Autopilot software update, allowing vehicle autonomy in certain situations. Tesla also recently announced that Model 3 will come with the hardware necessary for complete autonomy. Additionally, Tesla is planning to use its vehicles to create an autonomous taxi network.
Ford has also recently decided to throw its hat into the autonomous ring. The company has invested more than $4 billion since 2017, mostly to develop SAE Level 4 driverless cars. Ford has also partnered with Uber, Lyft, Postmates, and Domino’s Pizza to develop autonomous vehicles for their delivery fleets. Ford has also become involved in what is known as “mobility on demand” in Miami, where the company is helping to develop connected “micro-mobility” vehicles. These vehicles, which are electric and dockless, would augment existing public transportation options.
Google has also been researching, developing and testing autonomous vehicles for years. In fact, the company is said to have logged more than 2 million autonomous miles on public roads through its so-called “Waymo” initiative. Google is also said to be the furthest along the path to producing a completely driverless car, though the company is still running behind other automakers. Google has also recently teamed up with Fiat Chrysler, to develop driverless commercial vehicles.
Volkswagen is another big name in the driverless car industry, though the company’s involvement is largely due to its subsidiary Audi. Audi has been actively involved in the space, licensing its driverless technology to other automakers, developing connected vehicles, and testing its own autonomous vehicles on public roads. Audi recently announced plans to launch its own “Urban Intelligence” platform, which will connect driverless vehicles to infrastructure and other urban services.
Uber is another big name in the driverless car industry. Founded by Travis Kalanick, Uber has been developing its own driverless car technology since 2015. The company also has partnerships with Volvo, Ford, Audi and Toyota. Uber has also tested its driverless vehicles on public roads in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Phoenix, though the company has paused its testing in Arizona following a fatal crash.
Lastly, Waymo, formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, is one of the most well-known names in driverless cars. Run by John Krafcik, the company has logged billions of autonomous miles on public roads, making it the leader in self-driving mapping. Waymo is also leading the development of driverless technology for the trucking industry, with a pilot program between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
A Future of Autonomous Driving
As these companies continue to invest in driverless technology, they are slowly forging a future where autonomous vehicles are commonplace. But the technology is still in its early days, and much work needs to be done in order to make these cars a reality. Companies are experimenting with everything from mapping technology, to obstacle detection, to making sure the cars are able to respond to varying conditions in different environments.
The technology is still quite expensive, though major strides have been made in reducing the cost. It is estimated that the cost of developing a driverless car could be reduced by up to 90%, from its current estimated cost of around $1 billion. But even with the cost reductions, the question remains: when will autonomous cars actually hit the roads?
That is still uncertain, though most experts expect autonomous vehicles to be available by the mid-2020s. We may even see limited deployment in the next few years in certain parts of the world. Companies will continue to experiment and test the technology, often in partnership with city governments, in order to make sure all safety regulations are in place and that the technology works properly.
Impact of Autonomous Driving
It is difficult to predict the full impact of autonomous cars, though the potential is certainly there. Proponents of the technology expect it to reduce traffic congestion, reduce accidents, and increase efficiency of tranportation network.
At the same time, there are potential drawbacks. Autonomous vehicles could lead to job loss among truck drivers and taxi/Uber drivers, while also raising legal and insurance issues. Additionally, there is the very real concern of hackers gaining access to these vehicles, which could lead to a multitude of safety threats.
Adoption Obstacles
Perhaps the largest obstacle to the adoption of autonomous cars is that of public acceptance. People are naturally hesitant to embrace a new technology, and this one is no different. It is estimated that it could be up to 20 years before the technology is fully accepted by the public, meaning companies have a long way to go in getting people comfortable with the idea of electronic cars.
There are also regulatory hurdles that need to be overcome, as policymakers grapple with the implications of driverless cars. Governments will need to establish regulations for the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and also consider implications for liability and insurance. And on top of this, companies developing driverless cars will need to ensure that their technology is secure against hacker attacks.
Economic Implications
It is clear that, when the technology does arrive, it could have a tremendous impact on the economy. Autonomous cars could create a new era of efficiency for transportation network, leading to decreased cost for consumers and improved mobility. The long-term economic impact of this technology is difficult to predict, but it is clear that the opportunities are vast.
In terms of investment opportunities, driverless cars represent a potentially lucrative market. Companies such as Tesla, Ford and Google have already made substantial investments, and it is expected that the market will grow in the coming years. Investors that are able to identify the winning companies early could potentially be in line for a sizeable return on their investments in the years ahead.
Government Involvement
Government also has a role to play in the adoption of autonomous vehicles, as legislators grapple with the implications of the technology. Governments will need to create laws and regulations that make sure these vehicles are safe and secure, while also ensuring that companies are held liable for any accidents or misuse. Governments also need to ensure that the technology does not lead to job losses and disruption in the transportation sector.
The government also has the opportunity to use these vehicles for public good. Autonomous trucks, for example, could be used to help build public infrastructure in remote and rural areas. Autonomous taxis could reduce the cost of public transit, allowing people to get around more easily. And driverless vehicles could be used to provide transportation access to those who cannot drive, such as the elderly and disabled.
Responsible Investment
As with any new technology, there are risks associated with investing in driverless cars. Companies are still in the early stages of testing and development, and it could be several years before the technology is adopted in any meaningful way. Additionally, the public may be slow to accept the technology, and regulatory hurdles could slow adoption.
It is important, therefore, to understand the risks and rewards of investing in this technology. For those that do invest, the potential rewards could be great. But it is also important to understand the potential downsides and to invest responsibly.
