Many believe that driverless cars, or autonomous vehicles, represent one of the most significant advancements since the inception of the automobile. Whether we embrace the future of self-driving technology or not, it is clear that we cannot overlook its development.
While the driverless vehicle industry is progressing, the pace is much slower than many had anticipated. Achieving level 5 autonomy, where a vehicle can fully operate without human intervention, remains a distant goal for many. Industry experts had previously predicted a quicker timeline, but those forecasts have proven to be “slightly” inaccurate. This discrepancy may be attributed to optimistic hopes or, more likely, an underestimation of the complex challenges involved in enabling a car to ‘safely’ navigate while interacting with other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure.
Regrettably, safety concerns have arisen following some tragic incidents in 2018, prompting several leading autonomous vehicle organizations to take a step back and reconsider their strategies. Noteworthy accidents included an Uber vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona, and the fatal incident involving a Tesla Model X operating in Autopilot mode in California.
In light of these events, questions about the safety of self-driving cars have resurfaced and gained significant attention. A report highlighted concerns about a perceived rush to introduce driverless technology into the market prematurely. Were commercial pressures accelerating the development of autonomous vehicle technology at the expense of safety? We have observed a slowdown in public road tests by companies such as Toyota, Nutonomy, and Uber.
In contrast, Waymo has shown no sign of slowing down. The company appears to be moving ahead confidently with its technology, having launched a paid ride-hailing service in Phoenix and planning to deploy a fleet of 65,000 autonomous vehicles throughout Arizona.
Given the critical importance of safety above all else, I personally do not feel rushed to transition to full level 5 autonomy on our roads. I believe that driverless cars can provide substantial benefits and, despite the inevitability of accidents, these incidents will likely decrease compared to current rates attributable to human error.
It is clear to me that a deeper understanding of current and emerging technologies is essential, something that will only develop over time.
Perhaps the question of full-scale self-driving technology is not if it will happen, but when. However, it is crucial that we do not rush the timeline for its introduction.
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