If you're a keen follower of the automotive beat, chances are you've heard about autonomous drive systems. Also known as self-driving vehicles, these cars, SUVs, and even trucks are capable of driving around on their own.
While this sounds like science-fiction, carmakers like Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are hard at work in the race to bring a self-driving vehicle to market within the next few years. Yes, you could program your ride to drive you home at the end of the day real soon.
But did you know that all the hoopla about autonomous driving has already begun? A lot of new cars today are already available with such tech. No, you can't relinquish the steering wheel just yet. You can, however, be assured that such systems will help you keep out of harm's way.
How? Thanks to the various levels of autonomous mobility, we can have a variety of self-drive systems that are already here or will eventually make it into our cars.
- Level I, for instance, comes in the form of Driver Assistance Systems. These include stuff like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Cross-Traffic Alert, and other radar-based guidance and safety systems. Though you cannot exactly leave the vehicle fully in their hands, these systesm will help keep you out of harm;s way.
- Level II is the Partial Autonomous system that not only makes things safer but also much less stresful in daily traffic and even parking condtions. The Traffic Jam Assist found in some high-end cars is one good example. It can take over driving duties during stop-and-go traffic, including steering. Remote parking or Park Assist are yet other types of Level II system that make parking a breeze.
- Then there is Level II, which allows drivers to hand over control to the car completely--albeit under certain conditions. This can be done during long stretches of highway or stop-and-go traffic. But the driver cannot fully depend on the system as s/he needs to regain control when a road construction site comes into view, for isntance. The beauty of this system is that everyday driving can be less tiring.
- Level IV takes things a step further by being able to handle even those tricky road situations.. Of course, the driver can still take over if needed. But overall, 90% of the drive can be handled by the car itself.
- And Level V is the final frontier of autonomous mobility. This one doesn't require the driver--at all.Some vehicles don't even have a steering wheel to prove a point. it's robo-car at the helm.
While all these systems are being developed or already here, the big question is: Are we ready to give up the steering wheel?
