Autonomous cars on our roads soon

The idea is not new. Autonomous cars have been studying for several years róThe most advanced project was presented by Google. Their caród is equipped with many róThe cars are equipped withów. The situation on the road is observed by cameras and so called. lidar (the laser equivalent of radar) moving wokóThe car is on its own axis 15 times per second. There are speed sensors in the wheels, adjusting the speed to the prevailing conditionsów, signóThe number of autonomous cars being tested in London, Bristol and Milton Keynesóra „read online” is via cameras. GPS system with google maps is responsible for smooth driving.

Many of the systemsóin whichóry equipped with Google Car and its like can already be found in commercial vehicles. Whether it is cruise control, distance sensors or automatic parking systems.

Driving an autonomous car is similar to the autopilot in airplanes. The driver’s only task is to give the vehicle a purpose of travelóry. Nothing more. It does not have to keep nóg on the pedals and hands on the wheel, change gearów, whether to let pedestrians passów. The computer is in charge of everything.

It’s happening in Europe, too

In 2012, a peloton of autonomous cars successfully drove on Spain’s highwaysóVolvo’s. Audi and Mercedes also have their own programs. The principle of operation is similar, but the companies thatóre have been manufacturing cars for yearsóThe internet giant is lagging behind due to the fact that it has to róin parallel with the production and innovation of standard cars. At least that’s how they explain themselves.

From the first of January 2015 in three British cities – London, Bristol and Milton Keynes are testing autonomous cars. The project is designed to test whether these types of vehicles can relieve traffic congestion or improve safety. People’s reaction to such vehicles will also be tested.

I’ll put my three cents in on the solutionóThe European Commission has also added to this technologyóThe most advanced project was presented by Google, which caused two accidentsóin a driverless carów. Union officialóThe aim of the award is to increase road safety by reducing driver stressów.

Autonomous cars are safe?

Few are able to entrust their lives to a computer, but the statistics are inexorable. According to data from the U.S. from 2001 to 2009, more than 80 percent of crashes in the U.S. were caused by car accidentsów are caused by driversóand 17 pedestrian accidents. Only three per cent is due to random situations. This data is broadly in line with European data.

The Google Car tests were conducted in California. The cars of the Internet giant have travelled more than 500 thousand kilometersóin causing two accidents, in whichór of which one was the fault of another traffic participant and the other was the responsibility of a company employee.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many people are unable to use a carów. They are blind, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or elderly people. Caród autonomous vehicles would be the best communication solution for them.

But not just for them. Such a vehicle can also be used for long journeysólife. RóIt will also be used for daily commuting to the office or university. During the commute, the heating season has begunóthat will allow you to prepare an overdue presentation or touch up your makeup without risking anyone’s life. Also, alcohol enthusiasts will be happy, but it still depends on regulations. There is also a big field for public transport. The only victims remain taxisóinking.

Autonomous cars won’t be useful on unmarked or poorly marked roads. The car’s cameras check the lines separating lanes and the roadway from the shoulder, if there is one. When they’re gone, the system won’t work.

GPS satellite communication is also essential. With a strong solar flare aimed at Earth, such a system could fail. The magnetic storm makes all electronic instruments useless.

But the revolution will not happen immediately. Mercedes-Benz is planning to introduce this type of vehicleóin for sale by 2020. Volvo give a similar date.