The first experiments for self-driving cars started in 1939, with more promising trials starting in the 1950s.
The thought of self-driving vehicles existed long before cars were invented. So, it’s no surprise that autonomous cars are coming soon.
But, what is the latest self-driving car news? Are self-driving vehicles out on the road yet?
To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.
The Start of Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Researchers are developing autonomous cars out of technology interest and opportunity. There isn’t a need for them, but rather a want.
With more interest in self-driving car technology, researchers started looking at how to make a self-driving car. From there, it become a race to see who could put out the first self-driving car.
Now, there are some models that have some capacity for self-driving vehicles. And, some companies are announcing completely autonomous vehicles to come in the next few years.
To learn more about these transformations, read more.
Autonomous Cars Fighting Climate Change
Some experts believe that self-driving cars could turn the climate change situation around. With the rise of electric vehicles and the driving control behind an autonomous vehicle, riders will use less gas.
Although current studies don’t support the hypothesis, car manufacturers claim that they’re working on improving the possible environmental impact of these vehicles.
Some environmentalists believe that cars will never be able to fight climate change. Cars produce emissions from gasoline, brake dust, and tire and pavement friction. This is true of all cars, whether they run on power, gas, or a combination of both.
Legislation Behind Self-Driving Car Technology
Lawmakers and policy influencers are also joining the arguments for and against autonomous cars.
Some of these legislative professionals believe that the United States needs to hurry up in developing autonomous vehicles. Some point to China as a top contender against the US.
Policymakers fear that China may gain a technological edge on the US if we don’t release self-driving cars quickly.
Others argue that beating China isn’t a good enough reason to set autonomous vehicle technology on the roads prematurely. They fear it could diminish the American quality of life. This is especially if these vehicles aren’t ready to face all potential scenarios.
There are already been some documented crashes with self-driving cars. While these vehicles aren’t completely self-driving, they don’t paint a good picture for the future of autonomous cars.
So, When Are Autonomous Vehicles Coming?
The best self-driving car news we can share is that autonomous vehicles are coming a lot sooner than you think.
Multiple companies have made promises about bringing self-driving cars. General Motors, Geely, and Mobileye have all said that they’re going to release self-driving vehicles as soon as 2024. Additionally, Apple has said that they plan on releasing their own self-driving vehicle in 2025.
Talk about some amazing self-driving car news! We can’t wait to see what’s going to come next in autonomous car technology.
To read more about this and other tech news, check out the rest of our blog.
Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.