ts with hapless human drivers. Even though computers will take the most effective precautions to avoid accidents, people do not always demonstrate good sense on the road. For instance, despite years of highway carnage and thousands of fatalities, a shockingly high number of impaired drivers still travel over public roads, especially at certain times of night.
The Liability Issue
Another troublesome factor awaiting public debate in the near future may also prove decisive in determining whether or not self-driving vehicles become a widespread reality soon. Although some forecasters predict the arrival of these robotic cars in many cities within four years, human regulators have yet to develop rules answering complex legal questions involving liability and insurance. How will courts allocate responsibility when autonomous vehicles crash into property, kill people or cause multi-car pileups that injure human drivers and passengers?
While self-driving robotic cars currently do maintain a significantly better safety record than human drivers, far fewer of these vehicles have tackled real-world driving conditions to date than automobiles driven by humans. Insurers may lack the ability to accurately evaluate performance records in the absence of extensive data. While some states have granted permission to autonomous car manufacturers to test their vehicles on public streets, authorizing routine driving may require extensive new legislation. The process might face some rigorous legislative hurdles.
An Intense Competition
Meanwhile, many highly respected automakers and technology firms strive to develop the best new autonomous vehicle. Many analysts believe Alphabet’s Google may currently occupy a leading position in the race, thanks in part to its rich storehouse of mapping technologies. The firm recently partnered with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to develop a fleet of new autonomous minivans.
Yet other analysts, such as the firm Navigant, have ranked Daimler in first place in producing self-driving vehicles equipped with sophisticated sensors and computer technologies. The German automaker, and several others firms, independently worked on advanced automotive technologies to automate many driving tasks. Audi of America also recently launched a self-driving vehicle with advanced autopilot capabilities. It plans to introduce an even more sophisticated model in 2018, a car with the ability to complete over two thirds of driving functions on autopilot. A Chinese company named DiDi recently attracted significant investment dollars from Apple and several venture capital firms to develop a cutting edge autonomous vehicle, also.
An Indistinct Future
Partnerships between large high tech firms, ridesharing companies and an international list of automakers may soon command greater public attention. As many companies enter the race to create a popular self-driving vehicle, the future of this industry trend appears indistinct.
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Although no one can predict the future with 100% accuracy, many industry experts believe autonomous vehicles will one day become the future of automotive technology.