Outline
A self-driving car (also known as an autonomous car or a driverless car)
is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and moving with
little or no human input.
Autonomous cars combine a variety of sensors to perceive their
surroundings, such as radar, computer vision, Lidar, sonar, GPS,
odometry and inertial measurement units. Advanced control systems
interpret sensory information to identify appropriate navigation paths,
as well as obstacles and relevant signage.
Potential benefits include reduced costs, increased safety, increased
mobility, increased customer satisfaction and reduced crime. Safety
benefits include a reduction in traffic collisions, resulting injuries
and related costs, including for insurance. Automated cars are predicted
to increase traffic flow; provide enhanced mobility for children, the
elderly, disabled, and the poor; relieve travelers from driving and
navigation chores; lower fuel consumption; significantly reduce needs
for parking space; reduce crime; and facilitate business models for
transportation as a service, especially via the sharing economy.
Problems include safety, technology, liability, desire by individuals to
control their cars, legal framework and government regulations; risk of
loss of privacy and security concerns, such as hackers or terrorism;
concern about the resulting loss of driving-related jobs in the road
transport industry; and risk of increased suburbanization as travel
becomes more convenient.