Self-Driving Cars – Where are we now?

Self-driving cars, driverless cars, autonomous cars, robocars – whatever term you prefer, they were once just a fantastical notion straight out of science fiction. Remember the Jetsons, zipping around in flying, self-driving vehicles back in 1962? That futuristic vision captivated audiences worldwide, leaving us all dreaming of a day when cars could navigate themselves, freeing us to enjoy the ride.

Fast forward to today, and that dream is closer than ever to becoming a reality. With advancements in artificial intelligence and sensor technology, self-driving cars have shifted from the realm of fiction to the realm of possibility. But are we truly there yet? That’s the question on everyone’s minds.

With major players like General Motors, BMW, and Tesla diving headfirst into the electric vehicle market, the promise of self-driving cars has never seemed closer. But as we approach 2024, many are left wondering: where do these automotive giants stand on their bold declarations? While the potential advantages of autonomous vehicles are undeniable—enhanced accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability—concerns linger regarding safety, technical glitches, cybersecurity, and ethical dilemmas.

Amidst this evolving landscape, one thing remains certain: safety should always be paramount. Whether sharing the road with human drivers or AI-controlled vehicles, it’s imperative to remain vigilant behind the wheel. That’s where dash cams come in, providing an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for all road users.

First, who are the Big Players of Self-Driving?

The realm of Self-Driving Vehicles is predominantly steered by automotive titans, tech behemoths, and other influential sectors, shaping the way we navigate and automate our daily routines. At the forefront of this revolution stands Elon Musk, an iconic figure whose name is synonymous with cutting-edge advancements, particularly within the realm of Tesla.

Tesla

Nearly 8 years ago, Elon Musk shook the automotive industry by revealing Tesla’s plans to equip vehicles with the necessary hardware for full self-driving capabilities. In a 2016 press release, Tesla asserted that full autonomy would revolutionize safety, reduce transportation costs for vehicle owners, and introduce affordable on-demand mobility for non-vehicle owners.

Despite heightened anticipation for self-driving technology, Elon Musk’s promises of achieving full autonomy have yet to materialize. Despite recurring assurances of imminent breakthroughs, the timeline for achieving this milestone continues to be pushed back, leaving many questioning when Tesla will fulfill its ambitious vision. Here’s a snippet of Musk’s speech from 2019, highlighting his steadfast commitment to advancing self-driving technology.

“Next year” has been Elon Musk’s refrain for several years now. Just a few months ago, during his speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai in Q3 of 2023, he provided yet another update on the progress of self-driving Teslas. “I think we are very close to achieving full self-driving without human supervision,” he remarked. Musk went on to speculate, “This is only speculation, but I think we’ll achieve full self-driving, maybe what you would call four or five, I think, later this year.”

To keep you informed, when Elon Musk mentions level 4 or 5, he’s referring to the SAE standards that define levels of autonomous driving on a numerical scale from 0 to 5, with Level 5 indicating a car’s ability to fully drive itself without human intervention.

At present, available technologies include Tesla’s Autopilot, a traffic-aware cruise control system with lane-keeping assist, akin to other automakers’ adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems. Tesla also offers Full Self-Driving, which, despite its name, does not meet the criteria for Level 5 self-driving. Level 5 implies complete autonomy in any weather, on any road, anywhere globally. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving currently handles tasks such as parking, lane changes, and obeying traffic signals and signs, but it still requires the driver’s attention at all times.

While Tesla is yet to unveil a true self-driving car, they are not alone in the pursuit of autonomous driving technology.

BMW

BMW has unveiled its plans to elevate its vehicles to the next level of autonomous driving standards with the introduction of “Personal Pilot L3″ in the new 7 Series. Level 3, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, offers highly automated “hands-off, eyes off” driving. This means that drivers in Germany will legally be allowed to take their hands off the wheel starting March 2024.

However, as expected, this technology is subject to various requirements to ensure a smooth launch. For instance, vehicles will only be able to self-drive at speeds of up to 37 mph on motorways.

Ford and Lincoln

Ford and its luxury division, Lincoln, have introduced BlueCruise, a Level 2 automation system. This innovative technology combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance, allowing drivers to momentarily remove their hands from the wheel while maintaining visual focus on the road.

Currently, Ford’s system utilizes over 100,000 miles of pre-mapped roads and activates with a blue background on the instrument cluster when applicable. For those interested in acquiring this feature, it is now available for purchase on various Ford and Lincoln models. The subscription cost is $2,400 for three years, contingent upon acquiring the necessary equipment package.

General Motors / Cruise

Similar to Ford, General Motors has been actively pursuing advancements in autonomous driving technology through its automation company, Cruise. Cruise is recognized as a key player in the industry, dedicated to the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles. Acquired by GM in 2016, Cruise has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of autonomous vehicle technology.

In 2022, Cruise initiated testing and rollout of its vehicles in California, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards autonomous driving. However, progress has encountered setbacks, and as of January 2024, activities remain on hold due to ongoing investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice.

General Motors also offers an advanced driver assistance system, known as Super Cruise, available in Cadillac vehicles and select models like the Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV. Super Cruise provides features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking. However, it operates only on pre-mapped roads utilizing lidar technology, covering extensive mileage in the U.S. and Canada.

While Super Cruise represents Level 2 automation and requires drivers to remain attentive, it is complimentary for the initial three years before transitioning to a subscription-based service.

Waymo

Google subsidiary Waymo has made significant strides in the realm of autonomous driving with the launch of its commercial ride-hailing service, Waymo One. This service allows users to request rides in self-driving vehicles equipped with the innovative Waymo Driver technology.

The Waymo Driver relies on a sophisticated array of sensors, including external cameras, coupled with powerful artificial intelligence (AI) software. This technology enables the vehicle to perceive and interpret its surroundings, a process Waymo refers to as “Sense, Solve, Go.”

Waymo has long touted the safety benefits of its driverless vehicles, claiming they have the potential to surpass human drivers in safety. Recent analyses conducted by Waymo examined 7.13 million fully driverless miles across Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The findings revealed that Waymo’s autonomous vehicles were 6.7 times less likely than human drivers to be involved in accidents resulting in injury.

As new reports emerge, we eagerly anticipate further insights into the safety and efficacy of Waymo’s autonomous driving technology.

Self-Driving Cars – What could be the benefits?

There are compelling reasons why self-driving automobiles may become increasingly popular in the near (or distant) future. Firstly, they offer newfound independence and accessibility for individuals with limited mobility, the elderly, or those unable to drive.

Equipped with advanced technologies such as LiDAR, radar, GPS, and computer vision, self-driving cars, particularly beneficial for fleets, are capable of sensing their environment. By processing sensory data, these vehicles can optimize routes, avoid obstacles, and adhere to traffic laws. Furthermore, regular updates to digital maps enable them to adapt to evolving surroundings, enhancing fleet management efficiency.

Moreover, autonomous vehicles are predominantly electric, resulting in minimal pollution emissions and reducing their carbon footprint, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability.

However, beyond functionality, efficiency, and sustainability, safety remains a paramount concern. Are self-driving cars truly safe, even in the absence of human intervention?

Our Real Concerns about Self-Driving Cars

Beyond the hefty price tag that renders self-driving cars accessible only to the affluent, numerous challenges have impeded the realization of this futuristic vision.

In August 2023, the deployment of hundreds of driverless cars by companies like Google’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise across various US locations was met with setbacks, leading to widespread recalls following reported accidents. Despite ongoing testing efforts, Waymo vehicles continue to encounter operational flaws, struggling to locate pickup zones, abruptly stopping, and navigating inefficient routes, occasionally causing disruptions on roads. Critics argue that the driverless car experiment has faltered, with Cruise’s recent leadership acknowledging significant challenges amid reduced investment.

While proponents of the self-driving narrative tout superior safety records compared to human drivers, skepticism persists, as highlighted by The Washington Post. Despite claims from Waymo and Cruise regarding their vehicles’ superior safety performance, incidents such as disruptions in traffic flow and mishaps at emergency scenes have raised concerns. The lawsuit filed by the city underscores the need for robust safety regulations to address these incidents and ensure public safety in the era of autonomous vehicles.

As advocates for road safety facilitated by dashcams, we grapple with the ongoing controversy surrounding safety risks associated with self-driving cars, particularly during instances of technical flaws. Even minor computer malfunctions or glitches have the potential to precipitate more severe accidents than those caused by human error.

In addition to challenges related to discerning the intentions of human road users, self-driving vehicles may encounter difficulties operating in certain weather conditions. Heavy rain can disrupt the functionality of laser sensors mounted on the vehicle’s roof, while snow accumulation may interfere with camera systems, impeding the car’s ability to gather accurate data and navigate effectively.

Indeed, cybersecurity emerges as a significant concern in the automotive sector as vehicles become more automated. With every computer technology susceptible to hacking, it’s virtually certain that self-driving cars will also face cybersecurity threats. As reported by The Washington Post, cybersecurity has become a pressing issue for the automotive industry as automation increases.

Moreover, the advent of self-driving cars raises profound moral and philosophical questions. In the event of a car crash without a human driver, the question of liability becomes murky: should blame be assigned to the software designer, the vehicle owner, or another party? The introduction of driverless cars inevitably triggers discussions surrounding legal, ethical, and financial accountability. Law enforcement agencies will face challenges in determining how to engage with and penalize self-driving cars involved in road incidents. These complexities underscore the need for robust legal frameworks and ethical guidelines to address the implications of autonomous vehicle technology.

Precedent examples highlight the complexity of legal accountability in cases involving autonomous vehicles. In 2019, a Tesla Autopilot driver pleaded no contest to two counts of vehicular manslaughter after a collision, receiving a sentence of two years’ probation. Similarly, in 2018, an Uber backup driver for a self-driving vehicle was involved in a vehicular manslaughter case, pleading guilty to endangerment and not guilty to negligent homicide, resulting in three years of supervised probation. These cases, which have spanned over five years with recent outcomes, underscore the intricate legal and ethical considerations surrounding incidents involving autonomous vehicles. Such examples serve as a reminder of the need for thorough examination and careful regulation in navigating the evolving landscape of self-driving technology.

Indeed, the widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles poses significant implications for employment across various sectors. Occupations such as truckers, taxi drivers, Uber/Lyft drivers, ride-sharing drivers, and delivery drivers may face displacement as autonomous vehicles become more prevalent. This technological advancement could lead to substantial job losses and upheaval in the workforce, potentially leaving many individuals unemployed or requiring retraining for new roles. Moreover, the economic impacts of automation often exacerbate existing inequalities, with wealth becoming increasingly concentrated among those who control and benefit from the technological developments. As society navigates the transition to a more automated transportation landscape, addressing the challenges of employment displacement and ensuring equitable opportunities for all individuals will be crucial priorities.

Self-Driving Cars – Where Are We Now?

As the market pushes forward, the wheels of progress are turning, quite literally, as cities increasingly conduct tests with autonomous vehicles. From ridesharing to pizza deliveries, we’re witnessing a growing number of rollouts in areas like San Francisco. However, despite the momentum, there are more than a few speed bumps along the road to widespread adoption.

Every day, new stories emerge revealing the struggles of these vehicles, from difficulties recognizing children to allegations of covering up crimes. The rollout of autonomous vehicles has encountered significant roadblocks, prompting substantial reductions in the number of vehicles on the road and calls for industry-wide investigations at the highest levels.

As we continue to document these developments, new stories emerge, like the city of San Francisco’s lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission for permitting Waymo and Cruise vehicles, allegedly involved in concealing evidence of dragging a pedestrian. While the risks associated with human drivers are well-known, self-driving cars introduce a new set of challenges and pitfalls, prompting us to hit the brakes at the sight of a traffic cone, pigeon, or child. We are all part of this grand experiment, whether we embrace it or not.