TECHNOLOGIES BEHIND SELF-DRIVING CARS (Part One)

By looking at the future of transportation, one of the main questions that any one may ask is:

WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES SELF-DRIVING CARS POSSIBLE?

To explain this, three different  technologies are used:

1. SENSORS: By looking at the technology today, we find that most of the needed sensors are already available in the market and they are used in many ways in real life. This may be the most reachable technology amongst the following other two. Perhaps what is necessary, talking about self-driving cars, is assuming the importance of safety and security factors. These different sensors may be located in various places outside and inside the vehicle to reach a 360 degrees view. In addition, sensors are also added to wheels, brakes and lighting. These sensors may be ultrasonic, IR sensors, cameras and light sensors such as lasers.

2. CONNECTION: The best technology to describe connection is Global Positioning System (GPS) with technologies determining weather, traffic, congestion, and identifying the best routes. It can also be used to contact manufacturers and neighbouring cars via Bluetooth and finally also for reaching insurance companies, emergency  services and the police in case of accidents. Self driving cars  may be equipped with cellular communication technology. Leading companies may contribute to secure that technologies. It will definitely contribute to improving the passengers' experience and safety.

3. OPERATING SYSTEM: What makes those two previous described technologies work together is the operating system. The software enables the sensors and connections to work together efficiently, safely and with the least possible mistakes. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will add effectiveness to the cars. This smart system will determine e.g. the appropriate speed through the sensors and communication, brakes if necessary and stops the car at traffic lights by reading the road signs. The system will also be able to check the proper functionality of all sensors inside and outside the car all the time and report any errors if applicaple. This is necessary e.g. if a pedestrian is crossing the street suddenly. 

Nowadays, 90% of accidents are human caused. Growing technologies for self-driving cars will allow the humankind to drive in a safer way. All these techniques already exist and are ready for implementation. What prevent the leading companies to achieve this experience are safety issues and insurance problems as well as ethical questions. We will talk about these topics in following posts. 

In the next post we will talk in details about the different GPS systems that could be used in autonomous cars Technology (Part Two)