Autonomous Cars

These days we are hearing more and more about the development and various trials of autonomous cars. Some experts predict that by 2025 a large portion of cars will e autonomous, however other experts say it will take decades for autonomous cars to be in widespread use. Why do these predictions vary so widely? What's holding up the roll-out?

A completely autonomous car, also referred to as a driverless, self-driving, or robotic car, operates with artificial intelligence and does not require a human driver. The car uses GPS, radar, laser lights and motion sensors to drive and is programmed to follow the road rules, take in the surroundings and adjust quickly to conditions to keep passengers and the body of the car safe.

For a number of years now many different companies have begun their work on introducing these vehicles, such as Google, Uber, Tesla, Nissan and Mercedes. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) announced in August 2017 the introduction of a driverless bus trial to hit the streets of Melbourne. The driverless shuttle bus will take trips from Melbourne Airport, La Trobe and Monash University. Alongside this, two driverless car trials will be conducted on Eastlink and parts of Citylink.

The widespread roll-out of autonomous cars has a number of hurdles to overcome, from technology to insurance and responsibility, laws, infrastructure, moral and ethical dilemmas and community acceptance and trust. Then there is the impact of autonomous cars to consider in terms of society and our economy.

The Glenferrie Times will continue to look at the range of issues surrounding the rollout of autonomous cars and likely impacts on our community. Then there is the impact of autonomous cars to consider in terms of society and our economy. The Glenferrie Times will continue to look at the range of issues surrounding the rollout of autonomous cars and likely impacts on our community.