Autonomous Cars - The Next Revolution Looms

Alexander Hars

Inventivio Information Briefs, 2010-01

Abstract

If only technical issues mattered, driverless vehicles would soon be common place: After 40 years of research the technology is close to leaving the prototype stage: Late in 2007 six autonomous vehicles successfully completed a 90 kilometer test course of simulated urban traffic. The completely driverless cars had to obey California Driving Rules, watch traffic lights, avoid other cars, negotiate their turn at four-way intersections, etc.

Despite of these successes, little progress will be made (except, unfortunately, on the battlefield) as long as our societies continue to ignore the huge social, economic and environmental benefits of this technology.

In this paper, we examine how automated vehicles will fundamentally change our transportation infrastructure and provide the opportunity to make our societies better - less dependent on oil, less-resource consuming, with less carnage on the roads and with more freedom for the old, young and underprivileged.