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Hands off this car!
A car that drives itself may seem to come out of a science fiction movie or novel, but in actual fact, the possibility of it is very real. And with all the research being done, it's something that may happen sooner rather than later.
The drive towards progress
Scientist and car manufacturers have come up with a few prototypes of self-driving cars, and these vehicles are being tested in the United States and Europe.
For example, according to a BBC report, an autonomous car that was able to drive itself was shown at an event at Oxford University in February 2013. Likewise across the Atlantic Ocean, a team of engineers from tyre and automotive systems group Continental successfully conducted a two-week test in Nevada early last year.
Continental believes fully automated driving can be achieved somewhere near 2025. But by 2016, cars with partially automated capabilities - using sophisticated cameras, infrared and radar systems - may be a reality. Some of the big names that Continental is working with include BMW and Ford.
One of the most widely publicised driverless car projects is the one undertaken by Google. Google has said it won't make cars, but will work with other partners to bring its technology to the marketplace instead. Since 2012, Google has been testing such cars in some parts of the United States.
Asian car makers are not being left out. Rather than developing self-driving vehicles, Toyota Motor Corporation is focusing on improving current autonomous safety technologies to create a virtual "co-pilot" in vehicles that helps drivers avoid accidents.
Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry also has a project on an "auto-pilot system" to guide motor vehicles on expressways without human assistance.
The case for driverless cars
While the driverless car is not perfect yet, its advocates believe it is a better alternative to human drivers who engage in dangerous driving. It can also be a form of transport for those who can't drive themselves, such as the blind and the disabled.
With an array of sensors and systems which can't be distracted, driverless vehicles can significantly reduce collisions and fatalities caused by human error.
There are benefits in terms of productivity too. Drivers can spend their time doing tasks such as answering e-mails, instead of using the time commuting. Parking will be a breeze too. Instead of going round in circles looking for an empty space, the car can park itself.
The hurdles ahead
Many issues relating to legality, liability and insurance were debated by Silicon Valley technologists, legal scholars and government regulators at a symposium sponsored by the Law Review and High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University last year.
The biggest obstacle to self-driving is legislation. Licences may have to given to machines instead of humans; and road and traffic laws may have to be changed to address liability issues in an accident or traffic offence.
Some symposium participants also brought up technological risks since these vehicles will rely heavily on global positioning satellite data and other computing systems, which could be hacked into.
Drivers themselves also have to be convinced that driverless cars are a good thing; especially those who love to drive, don't trust a robot or drive for a living. Costs must also come down to make such cars more widespread.
A car that drives itself may seem to come out of a science fiction movie or novel, but in actual fact, the possibility of it is very real. And with all the research being done, it's something that may happen sooner rather than later.
The drive towards progress
Scientist and car manufacturers have come up with a few prototypes of self-driving cars, and these vehicles are being tested in the United States and Europe.
For example, according to a BBC report, an autonomous car that was able to drive itself was shown at an event at Oxford University in February 2013. Likewise across the Atlantic Ocean, a team of engineers from tyre and automotive systems group Continental successfully conducted a two-week test in Nevada early last year.
Continental believes fully automated driving can be achieved somewhere near 2025. But by 2016, cars with partially automated capabilities - using sophisticated cameras, infrared and radar systems - may be a reality. Some of the big names that Continental is working with include BMW and Ford.
One of the most widely publicised driverless car projects is the one undertaken by Google. Google has said it won't make cars, but will work with other partners to bring its technology to the marketplace instead. Since 2012, Google has been testing such cars in some parts of the United States.
Asian car makers are not being left out. Rather than developing self-driving vehicles, Toyota Motor Corporation is focusing on improving current autonomous safety technologies to create a virtual "co-pilot" in vehicles that helps drivers avoid accidents.
Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry also has a project on an "auto-pilot system" to guide motor vehicles on expressways without human assistance.
The case for driverless cars
While the driverless car is not perfect yet, its advocates believe it is a better alternative to human drivers who engage in dangerous driving. It can also be a form of transport for those who can't drive themselves, such as the blind and the disabled.
With an array of sensors and systems which can't be distracted, driverless vehicles can significantly reduce collisions and fatalities caused by human error.
There are benefits in terms of productivity too. Drivers can spend their time doing tasks such as answering e-mails, instead of using the time commuting. Parking will be a breeze too. Instead of going round in circles looking for an empty space, the car can park itself.
The hurdles ahead
Many issues relating to legality, liability and insurance were debated by Silicon Valley technologists, legal scholars and government regulators at a symposium sponsored by the Law Review and High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University last year.
The biggest obstacle to self-driving is legislation. Licences may have to given to machines instead of humans; and road and traffic laws may have to be changed to address liability issues in an accident or traffic offence.
Some symposium participants also brought up technological risks since these vehicles will rely heavily on global positioning satellite data and other computing systems, which could be hacked into.
Drivers themselves also have to be convinced that driverless cars are a good thing; especially those who love to drive, don't trust a robot or drive for a living. Costs must also come down to make such cars more widespread.
