Who’s Controlling Those Cars?

It's 7:30 AM on a Monday, and everyone has a busy day ahead. Fortunately, people are able
to make the most of their morning drive. A middle school teacher begins grading papers right
after starting his car. Meanwhile, a bank manager reviews her files without even glancing at
traffic. Finally, a dad dropping his kids off at school plays a quick game of checkers before
pulling into the parking lot.
The average American spends about 38 hours per year stuck in traffic

A New Way to Travel

How are all these activities possible and safe? The answer lies in the future of self-driving
cars. A self-driving car is a robotic vehicle that can travel without a human operator. These
vehicles are also referred to as driverless cars or autonomous cars. In the years ahead,
engineers anticipate that people will travel in fully autonomous automobiles that require no
human navigation. Technology experts predict that such vehicles will be common on
roadways within the next few decades.

The interiors of future can could look completely different from the ones used today.
Right now, drivers are still responsible for steering and paying attention to the road.

Adjusting to Autonomous Vehicles

Many people are already accustomed to certain automatic features in their cars. For
example, most cars include antilock braking systems (ABS). This technology prevents a
car's wheels from locking during braking and thus reduces skidding. In addition to ABS,
drivers regularly use automatic features such as automatic locks and rearview cameras. But
few people are familiar with vehicles that function without a driver to steer. operate foot
pedals, or initiate turn signals.

Checking a phone while driving is extremely dangerous.

Amazing Benefits
It seems inevitable that fully autonomous cars will be the next step in vehicle engineering.
Inventors are determined to produce self-driving cars that are safe and easy to use. Such
cars could reduce pollution and make accidents less likely. In addition, people could be more
productive while traveling. Because they wouldn't have to keep their eyes on the road, they
would be able to get other things done.

Potential Problems
Engineers still need to address several important issues with self-driving cars. For example,
some critics worry about what might happen if these vehicles were affected by a computer
virus. And is it truly safe for drivers to give up control of their cars? As scientists work to
answer these and other questions, the world continues to eagerly watch self driving cars
evolve into engineering wonders.

Not a New Idea

People have been paving the way toward the development of self-driving cars since the
early 20th century. Back then, drivers had to turn a handle called a crankshaft to start a car's
engine. Moving the crankshaft by hand was difficult and time-consuming. But in 1911,
engineers began replacing crankshafts with electric starter motors..
The larger an engine was, the harder it was to burn the crankshaft

A Look at the Linrrican Wonder

In the years that followed, inventors introduced several other automatic features that made
driving safer, easier, and more efficient. Even as far back as the 1920s, engineers
envisioned taking such technology a step farther. For example, in 1925, they tested a
radio-controlled vehicle called the Linrrican Wonder in New York City.

By the 1920s, cars were becoming a common sight in busy cities such as New York City.

A man shows off a remote-controlled car in Washington, DC, in 1928.

The first radio-controlled vehicle was a boat.

No one sat in the driver's seat of the Linrrican Wonder. Instead, it received radio signals sent
by a second automobile that traveled behind it. These signals were used to control the
Linrrican Wonder's electric motors. These motors navigated the vehicle. As amazing as this
driverless car was, il was impractical to use two cars at once.

Decades ago, people envisioned autonomous cars that are similar to the ones being built
today.

Built to Run on Special Roads

Though the Linrrican Wonder never became a popular addition to roadways, people didn't
abandon the idea of self-driving cars. During the 1950s and 1960s, U.S. engineers
experimented with driverless vehicles that were operated by circuits underneath the road.
The circuits produced signals that controlled the cars' steering and braking. The
disadvantage was that this plan would have required the rebuilding of most roadways.

Stepping Ahead With Sensors

During the 1980s, German researcher Ernst Dickmanns made an important breakthrough.
He decided to add cameras and other sensors to a van. The sensors collected information
about the van's environment. Computers then used the information to drive the van.
controlling the steering and brakes. Throughout the next few decades, Dickmanns and other
engineers continued to experiment with cars that required limited human control.

Sensors mounted on this SUV enable it to navigate without human assistance.

Improving Technology

Over time, self-driving cars have been programmed to change lanes, avoid obstacles, and
travel extended distances. Today, car manufacturers continue to experiment with new
technology. Inventors and engineers regularly add innovations, or improvements, that allow
cars to navigate without human input. A fully autonomous car may still be a long way off, but
the technology is advancing rapidly.

A vehicle designed by researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

competes in mon of autonomous cars in 2005
Fact or Fiction?
Self-driving cars have earned a place in science fiction and fantasy. They've been depicted
in literature and in films ranging from Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) to I, Robot (2004).
Sometimes these automobiles are quite similar to the cars that real-life engineers have
envisioned. Other times, they are far more fantastic than factual. For example, in Isaac
Asimov's short story "Sally" (1953), autonomous vehicles "talk" to one another by slamming
their doors and honking their horns!

Actor Will Smith emerges from an autonomous car in the film I, Robot.

Already on the Road

Many people feel like they are in total when driving. However, today's drivers rely on more
automatic features than they're probably aware of. Antilock brakes are one of these features.
ABS prevents a car's wheels from locking up during sudden stops or when roadways are
slippery.

All new cars are required by law to be built with antilock braking systems

An antilock braking system is a complex piece of machinery.

Saved by ABS
If the wheels lock, a vehicle is likely to spin. This can lead to an accident. In a vehicle without
antilock brakes, a driver avoids a spinout by using his or her foot to repeatedly pump the
brake pedal. But in a vehicle with antilock brakes, a driver simply keeps his or her foot on the
brake pedal, and the ABS pumps the brakes to keep the car from spinning.

Antilock braking systems rely on an electronic control unit of sensors and brake valves. The
sensors monitor the speed at which the car's wheels are rotating. If the unit detects a wheel
rotating slow or faster than the others, it signals the valves to apply and release pressure on
the brakes. The ABS can pump the brakes up to 15 times per second! Meanwhile, the driver
can focus on steering. back up their car

Backup cameras make it easier for drivers to safely

Setting the Speed

Adaptive control (ACC) is another example of automatic technology that is found in many
modern vehicles. With this feature, a driver sets a maximum speed at which to travel without
using the gas pedal. As the car is in motion, the ACC's radar or laser system monitors
driving conditions and adapts the car's speed as needed. The ACC automatically slows
down or speeds up the car while maintaining a safe distance from other traffic.

Put Down That Map!

Navigation systems are yet another popular form of automatic technology in modern cars.
They operate using the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS receivers rely on satellite
signals to pinpoint a vehicle's exact location. It can then provide step-by-step directions for
reaching a destination. This makes it easier for people to concentrate on driving instead of
reading maps.
Learn the Levels!

As the technology in self-driving cars has evolved, so has the language used to describe
these driverless vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has
developed a system of levels to describe the different degrees of vehicle autonomy.

Level Zero: All Up to the Driver

At this level, the driver is in full control of a car. He or she is responsible for braking steering
and accelerating. All early automobiles functioned at Level Zera.

Level One: Some Help Here and There

At Level One, some automatic functions exist to make a driver's job easier. For example,
electronic stability control (ESC) is considered a Level One feature, ESC relies on a
computerized system that can detect when a car is about to skid. It then applies the brakes
in a manner that helps move the vehicle in the direction the driver wants it to go. Since ESC
Is required on new passenger cars in the United States, all new U.S cars are described as at
least Level One.

Level Two: It Takes Teamwork

To reach Level Two, a car must feature at least two automated systems that function
together to perform a specific job for the driver. The combination of adaptive cruise control
and automated steering is an example of Level Two technology. (Automated steering helps a
vehicle remain centered in its lane.) A number of luxury cars currently operate at Level Two.

Level Three: On Standby

At Level Three, a vehicle is able to
demonstrate limited self-driving capabilities. In other words, it is technically equipped to
perform all major roadway operations However, a human driver must be ready to sele control
if necessary. Ideally, most of a driver's time in a Level Three car should be a hands-off
experience. Nevertheless, he or she is typically able to take over functions such as steering,
braking, or accelerating at any given moment. Currently, a small number of Level Three
automobiles are being tested on public roadways.

Level Four: Total Technology

To reach Level Four, a car must be fully autonomous, Drivers using such a vehicle can input
their destination, but the rest is up to technology. No one riding In a Level Four car should be
expected to seize control at any point. Completely autonomous automobiles won't be
available to the Public for a while. However, they are already being designed and tested by
various manufacturers

Google's cars have driven more than 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) as part of the
testing phase.

On the Go With Google

Starting in 2009, the technology company Google began developing a fleet of self-driving
cars. These vehicles are just steps away from being totally autonomous. They are already
traveling along U.S. roadways. Currently, people who ride in Google's robotic cars are able
to take control at any time. However, the automobiles mostly drive themselves. Riding in one
of these cars provides an exciting glimpse into the future.

An Overview of Operation
Google's self-driving car operates by using a combination of cameras, sensors, radar and
laser signals, and an onboard computer. Such technology enables the vehicle to create
three-dimensional maps of its surroundings. The computer interprets these images
alongside other detailed maps that already exist. The car uses the data produced by this
process to navigate with limited human input.

Cameras are concealed in the front grille of Google's car.

Google's car is able to autonomously pass other vehicles and adjust its speed the front

Google's cars are generally preprogrammed with departure and destination points. Apart
from this information, the automobiles are designed to navigate independently. For example,
they are able to determine the best travel routes between two locations. In addition, they can
safely obey traffic signals, change lanes, slow down or accelerate, and pass other traffic.

A Google car demonstrates its ability to slow down and avoid cyclists.

Avoiding Obstacles
As Google's self-driving vehicles navigate roadways, they use sensors to monitor their
surroundings. The cars' computers can detect and identify objects based on their size, their
shape. and the way they're moving. This means Google's cars can sense if they are close to
a pedestrian or a bicyclist. They can then react accordingly.

For instance, Google's self-driving cars would likely respond to bicyclists by moving away
from them. They would also yield to people crossing an intersection. At present, Google's
robotic vehicles are found mainly along suburban streets in Mountain View, California. This
is where the company's headquarters is located. The cars are currently designed to reach
maximum speeds of only 25 miles (40 km) per hour.

An early model of Google's autonomous cat is parked in front of the company's headquarters
in Mountain View, California

What About a Wheel and Pedals?

At first, the self-driving cars traveling in and around Mountain View were also equipped with
more familiar controls. People using Google's fleet of semiautonomous vehicles were able to
grab onto a steering wheel or step on floor pedals to adjust the car's speed. They could
immediately begin controlling the car if they suspected it wasn't working properly.

Google's vehicle is equipped with a special button that can shut the car down something
goes wrong.

In 2014, Google took the next step by removing steering wheels and brake pedals from its
cars. The main controls in Google's latest model are two buttons. One starts the car. The
other shuts it down in case of an emergency.
A Look Ahead at Autonomous Cars
As Google and other companies have already demonstrated, self-driving cars today seem
less like science fiction and more like a remarkable reality. The idea that someone could
safely work, text, or even sleep instead of paying attention to the road represents incredible
possibilities. At the very least, fully autonomous vehicles would help people get more rest
and be more productive.

Google plans for users to summon driverless cars using a smartphone app.

Autonomous cars could help cut down on traffic congestion in big cities by improving traffic
flow

Using Less Fuel

Self-driving cars could potentially serve several other important purposes as well. Some
experts predict that such vehicles will result in more efficient driving and improve the flow of
traffic. This means cars will use less gasoline. Because fuel contributes to pollution, this
would benefit the environment, too.

Cutting Down on Crashes

Engineers also believe that fully autonomous cars will reduce accidents. Crashes related to
fatigued drivers will be eliminated. In fact, experts have suggested that self-driving
automobiles might save around 30,000 lives a year in the United States. In addition, it's
possible that these cars will help prevent roughly 2.2 million vehicle-related injuries in this
country annually.

Car crashes could become a thing of the past as sell driving vehicles become the norm

More Mobile
Self-driving cars could be a game-changing technology for people who have trouble
obtaining a driver's license. At present, certain medical conditions often require restrictions
on driving privileges. Yet a person's driving abilities wouldn't affect the navigation of a
completely autonomous vehicle. It is therefore likely that many people could rely on
self-driving cars to become more mobile.

Blind people could soon have a much easier time getting from place to place.

Some people fear that the computers powering autonomous vehicles could be vulnerable to
attacks from vines

Addressing the Issues

Despite the exciting possibilities of fully autonomous cars, engineers still need to address
various questions and concerns. For example, some people are worried about what will
happen if any equipment fails or if a virus infects an onboard computer. The scientists who
are designing self-driving cars are still working on ways to deal with these and other potential
problems.

Self-driving cars will need to be able to react quickly if people suddenly run out in front of
them.
Costly Cars
Engineers also need to be certain that self-driving vehicles can safely respond to any
unforeseen driving situations. Google cars, for example, have not been driven in heavy rain
or snow. This means continued experiments and tests. Lastly, many people have pointed out
that driverless cars will almost certainly be more expensive than traditional cars. The
technology that makes these vehicles work will probably add between $3,000 and $10,000
to car prices.

Forever Changing Travel

Once self-driving cars are made available to the public, they will forever change the way
people travel. Just as importantly, they will show how a vision of the future can trigger
fantastic technological changes. In the course of a century, car technology has evolved from
crankshaft motors to self-driving wonders that promise to reshape transportation.

Autonomous cars are a product of some of the most impressive technological advancements
in automotive history.

The current maximum speed of Google's self-driving cars on public roads: 25 mi. per hour
(40 kph) Amount of fuel that might be saved once fully autonomous cars become available in
the United States: 2.4 billion gal. (9 billion L) a year Number of U.S. Lives that might be
saved once fully autonomous cars become available to the public: 30,000 a year

Number of U.S. vehicle-related injuries that might be avoided once fully autonomous cars
become available to the public: 2.2 million a year Amount that fully autonomous features will
likely add to a car's price: Between $3,000 and $10,000