TECHNOLOGY IS FASTER THAN LIGHTNING It is no longer just about driving in a self driving car Anke Horstman The TECH giants such as Google and Tesla are not there yet when it comes to fully autonomous driving cars, but the ground work is done. Self-driving cars currently remain within the lines and slows down when its predecessor does so but there is so much more to it than this. Let’s review some of the issues facing the manufacturers, governments and of course consumers. When can we expect fully autonomous cars? Currently it is still very important that the driver pays close attention behind the wheel. The self-driving car is not intelligent enough yet to realise it must brake for a red traffi c light. And it does not yet know whether you want to go left to get to your destination. It is still a matter of steering and intervening yourself. In fact, the car literally demands that you regularly keep your hands on the wheel, which serves as feedback that you are really alert. Technically speaking, we are not that far, that we can let the car do whatever it is programmed to do. Legally, there any many issues to consider. If we would make a car responsible for a safe drive, is the car also accountable for damage or even worse outcomes? Worldwide we see the trend of insurers, governments and lawyers looking into what is and is not feasible in this matter. Technology is faster than lightning Multiple car manufacturers have shown they are well advanced in the development of their self-driving cars, including all peripherals necessary. By placing sensors in traffi c, a car can easily recognise when it is approaching traffi c lights or a priority road. And with the arrival of 5G, cars can retrieve real-time information with minimal latency meaning the future of autonomous cars looks exciting. But what if self-driving cars really do bring us from point A to point B in the future, without you having to pay attention and interfere? If only 18- CONTINEW
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