We’re entering a golden age of automobile technology. Never before have we seen so many advances in tech in such a short period of time. Even five to 10 years ago, self-driving cars were a thing of science fiction, and now some manufacturers are making it a reality. Self-driving cars are changing the future of how we drive.
Driver Assist vs. Autonomous Driving
When discussing the capabilities and technology behind self-driving cars, you have to understand the difference between autonomous driving and driver assist. Both are incredible advances in automotive technology, but there is a significant and distinct difference. Driver assist features are there to intervene or aid the driver during specific maneuvers. This includes things like blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance. In these cases, the vehicle is making decisions based on the current road conditions and traffic. However, the driver still keeps their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle. Autonomous driving lets the driver let go of the wheel and let the car drive.
The reason driver assist belongs in the conversation is the role it has played in self-driving capabilities. The tech behind driver assist features paved the way and laid the foundation for autonomous driving. Self-driving cars use the technology already developed and build upon it to allow the car to make safe driving decisions without human input.
Looking Into the Future of Self-Driving Cars
Several different manufacturers are offering self-driving cars, looking to be the first ones out with a mainstream autonomous driving solution. Even Google has its eyes on self-driving automotive technology.
Some automakers envision a future where not only is there no driver in the driver’s seat, but also a world where most people don’t own a car and get their rides for free. If you’re wondering how this would work, there is an explanation. Instead of a traditional taxi, where you get in and pay based on how far away your destination is, these visionaries see the ride being free on the condition that you stop at a few stores along the way. These stores would buy the opportunity to be a pit stop on your free ride, serving as a new-age style of advertisement.
Driverless Cars Are Not a Matter of If
How long it ends up taking before a majority of the cars on the road are self-driving is unknown. However, that future is going to happen at some point soon. Almost every car manufacturer is working on self-driving technology, and investors say it’s not a matter of if, but when. The things that will ultimately determine this timeline is our ability to trust AI enough to get in a driverless car, and the AI’s ability to be worthy of the trust.
Driverless cars will be an exciting part of our driving history. The first cars arrived in America in 1893, or just about 125 years ago. Within the next decade, we will see the driving experience shift dramatically.
Keep an eye our for partially self-driving Jeeps in 2020.
