Introduction
The invention of automobiles in 1886 by Karl Benz has created a new way of transporting people and goods, and now, companies such as Google and Tesla aim to develop a breakthrough – auto drive. This technology synopsis will describe the purpose and specifics of auto-drive and give details about the specifics of auto-drive.
Purpose
The purpose of the auto-drive technology is to create a breakthrough in the industry of automobiles and introduce vehicles, both commercial and consumer, that can drive without the interference of a human. First discussions regarding a car that can drive itself began in the 1950s [1]. However, only recently, the new developments in machine learning, which allow algorithms to analyze data and learn from the patterns it detects, as well as other types of Artificial Intelligence (AI), allowed the creation first self-driving vehicles.
Attributes
Autodrive uses lenses and AI to scan the environment of the vehicle, detect different objects, and operate the car depending on its environment. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed five categories that outline five stages of vehicle automation, with stage 0 referring to no automation [1]. According to Peters [1, p. S7], at Level 5, “the system does everything, and in all conditions.” Mainly, the system monitors the car’s environment, controls the steering, acceleration, and breaks. Additionally, at levels between 1 and 4, the vehicle’s self-driving system can determine the conditions under which the driver should take control of the process.
AI is an essential part of auto-drive, allowing it to make decisions based on the car’s surroundings. Bayesian simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms are typically used to determine the probability of an event happening, for more accurate decision making [3]. Apart from this, auto-drive uses a variety of sensors and radars to collect data. Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is a technology used for auto-drive, which implies the use of pulsed laser, which is any laser that is not a continuous wave [3]. Typically, such systems have a laser, paired with a scanner and a GPS system. GPS is a radio navigation system allowing the algorithm to track the path of the vehicle. Through LIDAR, vehicles can scan the surfaces around them, determining which objects they should bypass or where to move next. AI is responsible for the decision-making, using the information from scanners to create a path towards the vehicle’s destination. Apart from LIDAR and AI, auto-drive uses navigation systems, location systems, path planning, environment perception, radar, vehicle control, as well as the perception of speed and direction [3].
Currently, several issues exist that will require further development of AI and sensors used in these vehicles. For example, it is difficult to predict all possible conditions that can happen in real life. Therefore AI algorithms can have difficulty addressing some driving conditions [1]. However, it is possible that as AI develops, algorithms will be able to recognize complex conditions, allowing for full automation. In the United States, Level 2 types of vehicles are available on the market, which has “adaptive cruise control, while monitoring the driver’s eye movements to determine vigilance” [3, p. 7]. Such a system still requires the attention of a driver and their interference.
Functionality
Currently, the full auto-drive has been used only during tests with a human operator controlling the process. However, in terms of functionality, even these semi-automated vehicles are efficient, allowing the driver to only control the process without having to manage the driving actively. When Level 5 technology is tested for safety and approved by the regulators, it will allow for the introduction of cars that do not need a driver at all. Some of the requirements for auto-drive vehicles include the ability to “drive itself in a complex environment, handling all the driving tasks itself-speed control, lane-keeping, switching lanes to avoid hitting obstacles and reacting appropriately to signs and signals” [1, p. S6].
The functionality will include the full operation of the driving process. These cars will be safer when compared to traditional vehicles because it is perceived that a large number of accidents occur due to bad judgment or another human error [2]. Auto-drive vehicles will be applied within the transportation industry for the logistics of goods, taxi services, and personal transportation.
Applications
As was mentioned, auto-drive technology will transform both commercial and consumer transportation. Mainly, commercial transportation using trucks will become more advanced, no longer requiring a human driver to operate the vehicle. Tesla has recently introduced its Cybertruck and Semi truck, which have full and semi-auto-drive technology. Since approximately 70 percent of goods in the United States are transported by trucks, these developments can have a significant effect on the industry, bypassing the safety restrictions and time constraints that currently exist [2].
Conclusion
In conclusion, auto-drive is a revolution of the automobile industry that will change the way people view transport. Moreover, the commercial use of it will help make logistics more efficient and not dependent on the abilities of a human driver.
Works Cited
- D. L. Peters. “Students Working Towards Robotic Chauffeurs: The SAE/GM Autodrive Challenge.” Mechanical Engineering, vol. 140, no. 03, pp. S6-S11, 2018.
- A. Marshall. What Does Tesla’s Automated Truck Mean for Truckers? 2017. Web.
- W. Daily, S. Medasani, R. Behringer, and M. Trivedi. “Self-Driving Cars.” Computer, vol. 50, no. 12, pp. 1-10, 2018.