Only a few decades ago, the thought of having a self-driving car or autonomous vehicle driving on auto-pilot along our highways would have sounded like an idea straight out of science fiction.
However, as technology continuously evolves, more vehicle manufacturers are starting to develop self-driving tech that will allow cars to drive on their own (or with minimal human intervention for that matter).
In this article, let’s discuss what you need to know when it comes to autonomous vehicles – as the future of driving is almost here.
What are autonomous vehicles?
Also called self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles are vehicles that fully operate without human intervention.
An autonomous vehicle utilises a fully automated driving system to allow the vehicle to respond to external conditions that a human driver would usually manage. Self-driving cars use technology that assists with everything from navigation to parking, using a network of sensors to detect possible obstacles.
Levels of autonomous vehicle technology
The SAE International has outlined five levels of vehicle autonomy, ranging from driver-assisted to fully autonomous:
Level 1
Vehicles at this level have a single automated aspect, but the driver is still very much in control.
Level 2
These are quasi-self-driving vehicles that have ‘partial automation’. In broad terms, this is where most smart vehicles are today. Level 2 cars are intelligent enough to integrate acceleration and steering systems together using multiple data sources.
Level 3
These autonomous vehicles are defined as having ‘conditional automation’. Though all aspects of driving can be done automatically, the driver must be on hand to intervene.
Level 4
Vehicles with this level are considered ‘high automation’. When Level 4 vehicles become available, you will see them driving in geofenced urban areas, harnessing emerging technology in HD mapping, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, machine vision and advanced sensors.
Level 5
Also considered ‘fully autonomous vehicles’, the key difference between this and level 4 is that human drivers are optional. In other words, these are fully self-driving cars.
How do autonomous vehicles work?
Here are some of the autonomous vehicle features that provide the benefits of self-driving cars:
1. Lane-keeping assist
Lane-keeping assist features help keep vehicles in their proper lanes, although this feature works best on dry, clear roads. This technology uses lane markings and lines on the sides of the road to keep the car adequately positioned. When cars start to veer off course, the steering system will help guide the vehicle back into the proper lane.
2. Hands-free capability
Some of the benefits of self-driving cars include hands-free systems, with Tesla being one of the first brands to adopt this technology.
Although self-driving models at the moment still require guidance from humans by using the steering column in certain circumstances, the goal for these vehicles is to eventually operate without the help of a human.
3. Automatic braking
Braking features in self-driving cars use similar technology to existing automatic emergency braking. In cases where an impact is inevitable, the system will slow the momentum for a less severe impact.
What are the benefits of a self-driving car?
Autonomous vehicle technology may be able to provide certain advantages when compared to human-driven vehicles.
According to research, around 57% of all accidents in Australian roads are caused by some degree of human error, including distraction, impaired driving or poor decision-making. With self-driving cars, the technology being developed is aimed to decrease the number of road accidents.
Other autonomous vehicle benefits will include:
- Assisted mobility for the elderly and disabled, who may not be physically or legally able to operate a human-driven vehicle.
- Reduced traffic congestion, thanks to self-driving cars communicating and coordinating with one another.
- More free time during commuting hours because drivers will no longer have to operate their vehicles.
Ready to drive smarter on the road with an autonomous vehicle?
The automotive industry is experiencing a rapid evolution driven by digital transformation – and it’s an exciting time for everyone!
So, whenever you’re ready to take the next step towards a self-driving car or you just want to learn more, it helps to have a vehicle expert who can guide you. If you have questions about smart cars and how you can choose the right one for you, simply reach out to us for a chat.
Find the right smart vehicle for you with Private Fleet
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Backed by decades of vehicle industry experience, fleet buying power and a network of car dealers across Australia, we are here to ensure that buying an autonomous vehicle will be as straightforward as possible for you.
Buying a new car is a memorable experience – let us make it hassle-free, too.
Reach out to us today for a seamless and easy car-buying experience.