Are you interested in learning more about the newest cars? Below, you’ll learn 5 new things about self-driving cars 2021 has to offer, in particular.
If you were following the predictions about seIf–driving cars before, you know they’re wrong. Self-driving car manufacturers predicted their products would be on the road by 2020. Yet, it’s already 2021 with no self-driving cars on sight on the commercial market, and much less the road.
Nevertheless, the time of the self-driving car is coming closer. If you plan to one day invest in a self-driving car, you need to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Keep reading to learn new things about self-driving cars.
1. Self-Driving Cars 2021: Tech That Makes Them Possible
The benefits of self-driving cars are that they use a mix of modern technology. One of the most important tools they use is the GPS or GNSS. The GPS (Global Positioning System) and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) help the cars know where they are.
They inform the cars about the exact centimeters of the traffic lane or parking spot. It works in tune with a precise HD mapping tool, which is the core component of a self-driving car. The HD mapping uses precise instructions so that the cars can comprehend the environment.
Self-driving cars also use sensors and radars to “react” to the changes during the trip. Today, most cars use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, cameras, and radar. These items will keep you safe and inform the car of the weather, brightness, and more.
Image Recognition is an amazing piece of technology installed in driverless cars. It helps them recognize if an object on the road is dangerous or risky for their passengers.
The Mosaic 51 is an example of an advanced intelligent object detection system. It knows what potholes, road signs, and streetlamps are.
DSRC lets the car “talk” with other cars or surrounding infrastructure. This keeps self-driving cars from bumping into one another or other buildings. DSRC will also keep them from colliding with pedestrians.
2. They Have Five Automation Levels for Self-Driving
The next thing about self-driving cars 2021 has to offer includes their five modes. From Level 1 to 5, the various self-driving categories include:
- Driver assistance
- Partial Automation
- Conditional Automation
- High Automation
- Full Automation
Level 1 has features like cruise control, traction control system, and anti-lock braking system. As the driver, you still have 100% control. The Advanced Driver Assistant System (ADAS) is only helping you out.
Partial Automation or Level 2 lets you drive but gives you more assistance from the ADAS. Some features in this level include taking control of accelerating and decelerating. It may also take control of the steering for you.
On Level 3 or Conditional Automation, the ADS or automated driving system will kick in. This turns on the pedestrian protection system, intersection assistance, and lane change assistance. The car will start reacting to the environment without help from the driver, but the driver must remain alert.
At Level 4, the self-driving car will start using its geofencing feature. It’ll observe its environment, and the human driver can busy themselves with other tasks. You can still override the car’s self-driving feature at this point if you want to.
The final level is Full Automation. This is what we’re all waiting for and what modern car companies are promising us. Even when you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, you’ll be a passenger.
3. Self-Driving Car Brands to Watch Out for
As the most popular self-driving car company, Tesla is at the top of this list. It’s creating a device called Autopilot. This device will keep its self-driving cars on the road and aware of their surroundings.
Waymo is Google’s project for creating self-driving vehicles. It aims to create commuter and autonomous vehicles for personal and commercial use. Today, Waymo is testing and validating self-driving technologies, as well.
Pony.ai aims to use AI support to advance our present car technology. It knows that the best route to self-driving cars is a practical engineering strategy. The company aims to create self-driving cars that are efficient, secure, and cost-effective.
Volvo is another long-time pioneer of car safety technologies. It was one of the first companies to introduce innovative safety devices and lane centering to its vehicles. Now, it also develops cars with autopilot functionality, like the Pilot Assist II.
Last but not least is Voyage, which aims to introduce self-driving cars to seniors. They know that the elderly may have issues with mobility, eyesight, and more that keep them from the road. They aim to design self-driving cars that’ll carry their customers to the destinations.
Is the cost of self-driving cars holding you back from getting too invested in one? Do you feel that you’re not yet ready for a self-driving car? While you wait, head to http://gatesauto.com/inventory/ for great non-self-driving alternatives.
4. Having a Self-Driving Car Won’t Make a Big Difference for Environment
Some self-driving car advocates claim that their products will be good for the earth. They’re saying people will take fewer car trips once they’re available to the public. However, this is untrue, and studies show that the opposite will occur.
Self-driving cars are more fuel-efficient, but it doesn’t mean they’ll make lower emissions. Even using a cruise control feature will improve fuel efficiency by as little as 5%-7%. However, that’s not to say self-driving cars won’t make a big impact on the environment.
5. Benefits of Self-Driving Cars
If self-driving cars won’t be as environment-friendly as regular cars, why develop them at all? Well, self-driving cars can help you use your commuting time for other things.
Instead of focusing on the road, you can practice your big speech or finish a work report. Their tech will also lessen congestion and change the city landscapes in many ways.
Expand Your Knowledge About Self-Driving Cars
Those are the 5 things to know about self-driving cars 2021 has to offer. Do you want to find out which models are likely the best self-driving cars or other related topics? If you’re interested in more content about cars, check out our other guides now.
