Transportation problems is a factor of the current world and self-driving automobiles can provide a technological leap forward that can offer solutions and conclusively change how people approach travelling. The rapid increasing of automobiles comes with some consequences. For instance, rising carbon emissions, increasing congestion and high traffic accident rates. Such negative impacts can be reduced by the adaptation of self-driving vehicles. All these negative impacts can only be overcome by the minds of the public. Once the public have accepted the new transportation system, it will grow largely among them and private companies will consider them into production because of the high rates of demands.
The Global status report on road safety 2018, launched by World Health Organization (WHO) in December 2018, shows that the number of annual road traffic deaths has reached 1.35 million. The report also states that the road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of people aged 5-29 years. Most of the deaths lead to the ignorance of the drivers, for example under the influence of alcohol, texting while driving, disobeying traffic laws and sleep deprivation. The idea of the implementation of self-driving vehicles is to basically improve the quality life of humans as well as providing a safer way to travel without any inconvenience. Other advantages also include reducing traffic congestions by preventing long tailbacks at busy times, arguments over directions and navigation will be a thing of the past, disabled people with driving difficulties will be able to experience the freedom of car travel and also self-aware cars will not be prone to car theft.
Recent research showed that a former Google self-driving car, Waymo, now is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc offers robot taxis without humans behind the wheel to take over in an emergency. In April 2017, a limited trial of self-driving taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona was started and on December 5, 2018 the service was launched. A fleet of modified Fiat Chrysler Pacifica minivans modified with self-driving technology is providing service to the members of the public. Further research has proved that Tesla has a running system that is available to the public since October 2014. The self-driving system is called Autopilot and in the beginning it is only applicable for Tesla Model S and X. Over the years, Tesla updated its system, Autopilot 8.1 and applies to all Teslas made after October 19, 2016. As of July 2016, Autopilot has been used for more than 70 000 drivers and an impressive 780 million miles have been driven by drivers with Autopilot enabled Teslas. The technology uses a combination of radar, cameras and GPS. When the system is engaged, it can self-steer, adjust speed, detect nearby obstacles, apply brakes and park .
The purpose of this review was to help the reader understand the importance of self-driving automobiles and the benefits it could bring to the public in the coming future. This is significant because the number of traffic accidents are increasing every year due to human error. Self-driving vehicles will revolutionize the auto-industry and it will be a turning point for many people’s life. Elderly people, children and handicapped persons will no longer have trouble with land transportation. There has been much research and discussion conducted on self-driving vehicles, including efficiency, safety and liability. In conclusion of this review, self-driving vehicles can make a significant and positive impact in the way that society functions.