Vehicle that gets from one point to another point without human interaction is called autonomous vehicle. This is done by implementing the number of well-placed sensors on cars those detect different things such as other vehicles, people, traffic lights, and movement of other vehicles. This would be the single biggest technology that will hit the automobile industry. It might seem like an idea from a sci-fi movie or some Japanese anime, but Google is already in the process of testing out the prototypes. Presently this design has drawn a lot of flak but tie ups with major automobile giants can push this technology into the main stream.

Now day’s autonomous cars which are also known as self-driving cars are taking over the cars with driver. Women’s give much importance and preference to self-driving cars in the United States of America as compared to males. An autonomous car has all the capabilities of fulfilling the human transportation needs and the need of a traditional car without driver. Autonomous vehicle senses the environment around it by using its sensors and act accordingly. Drivers are not much comfortable by the self-driving cars because they remain concerned about the safety.

DRIVERLESS VS DRIVER CARS
DRIVERLESS VS DRIVER CARS

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A Survey Report Figures Related to Autonomous Vehicles Preference:

In the United States, 57 percent of respondents said that they have analyzed self-driving cars in a positive way, though 27 percent have neutral feelings and 16 percent people looked at the technology as a negative one. There is also a slight gender gap towards the embracing of autonomous cars, as 57 percent have a very positive view of them but among these women’s are little more in proportion to males. Though the number of percentage is quite closer to each other, researchers found women consistently responded with less enthusiasm about the technology and also registered more concerns over its safety.

PREFERENCE OF AUTONOMOUS CARS OVER DRIVER CARS
PREFERENCE OF AUTONOMOUS CARS OVER DRIVER CARS

Autonomous vehicles involve the use of Mechatronics, Artificial Intelligence and Multi-agent System to assist a vehicle’s operator; these features in the vehicle make it smart and give the little power of decision making. Instead of AI, vehicles those are using automation and navigation may be referred to as semi-autonomous.

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Autonomous vehicles are those vehicles which sense their surroundings with techniques such as Radar, Lidar, GPS, Computer vision. The most advanced systems interpret sensory information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacle and relevant signage. Lot of people considers autonomous vehicles as a significant part of the future. As the technology is increasing day by day, it may be necessary for the state to address the potential impacts of these vehicles on the road while every year the number of states considering legislation related to autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous cars still have to face many technical challenges; there exist many human and social factors that might impede the wider uptake of the technology. As the things have become more automated, the human user needs to have trust in the automation which can be a challenge in itself. Weather conditions also play a very vital role in autonomous driving because it affects the sensors of the car, which may affect the auto driving mode. When there will be heavy rainfall, storm or snowfall it will surely affect the sensors and the chances of accidents will increase.

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Impact of Weather Conditions:

The cars working using V2V communications will be more impacted by bad weather condition and V2V communication is the important part of fully autonomous vehicles.  Because bad conditions will block the communication between car to car that is being achieved with the help of sensors and communication mechanisms and that enables vehicles to transfer important data between them. This system is made to help and avoid accidents and for making the vehicles to find out new routes in case of long jams. V2I (Vehicle to infrastructure) communication gives another possible avenue which can prove to be useful; For example, slowing down or stop signs can signal autonomous cars to slow down or stop in specific areas such as schools or hospitals but again it could be impacted by many factors in many ways more specifically weather conditions.

impact of weather conditions on vehicles
impact of weather conditions on vehicles

Autonomous Cars should have intuitive bots that record every driver’s preferences and habits and thus can provide better and personal driving experience to each driver. For example, the temperature settings, pre checking daily routes for jams and accidents etc.

What could be the Benefits of Autonomous cars?:

An increase in the use of autonomous cars would make possible benefits as: There are fewer traffic collisions, due to an autonomous system’s increase reliability and faster reaction time compared to human drivers. It Increases roadway capacity and reduces traffic congestion due to reduced need for safety gaps and the ability to better manage traffic flow. There will be much relief to vehicle occupants from driving and navigating chores by their self. There will be higher speed limit for autonomous cars; it will reduce the physical space required for vehicles parking. It will eliminate the extra force to maintain traffic flow and extra person (driver) in the car because the robotic car could go unoccupied anywhere, whenever and wherever it will be required, such as to pick up passengers to go in for maintenance. This is especially relevant to trucks, taxis, and car sharing services and more importantly it will also reduce the need for the traffic police and vehicle insurance.

Benefits of Autonomous vehicles
Benefits of Autonomous vehicles

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Autonomous cars Foreseeable Challenges:

In spite of the various benefits due to increase of vehicles automation, some foreseeable challenges still persist: there is liability for damage. Car’s computer could potentially be compromised, as a communication system between cars. It can cause the loss of privacy; it will lead to loss of driving related jobs. Autonomous cars could potentially be loaded with explosives and can be used as moving bombs. Self-driving cars may require very high quality specialized maps to operate properly, these maps would be costly to produce for roads all over the world. These maps could be out of date; there will be need to update these with every passing minute.

Limitations to self driving cars
Limitations to self driving cars

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The most effective gain will be control on traffic congestion and avoiding of accidents, we are not far from “2020” when we are going to witness the self-controlled vehicles on road and we will say “THE FUTURE OF Autonomous AUTOMOBILES IS HERE.”