What’s next in automated cars?

The use of technology in cars has been increasing in the direction of easing the driver's job. From video parking sensors to GPS navigation, the idea has been to automate, as much as possible, the job of driving. Another area where technology has been directed is in the area of safety. So to eliminate human errors let's eliminate human driving by heading technology straight into driverless supercars.

google automated car dmitri dolgov

Need for change Let's admit it, most drivers don't like driving and would much rather have quite a few for the road. And all the accidents are of course 'human errors'. Let's now look at which are the automated cars that will be ushering in this new era of robot cars.

1. Google's Driverless Car

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What’s new?

Google's Driverless Car uses Google street view combined with artificial intelligence software. The car 'sees' with a rotating sensor on the roof and a video camera on the windshield, radar and laser sensors to create full automation. Google says it has tested six cars in California and beyond.

What difference will it make?

This car is certainly going to make difference when it comes to reducing the accidents on the roads due to human errors. Evan as Google says its goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people's time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use.

Problems

Changing legislation may be the uphill task. Google has not offered it to automobile manufacturers yet.

2. GM’s EN-V Car

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What’s new?

GM showcased the battery powered EN-V recently for the urban market. It has gyroscopic sensors to balance the car’s weight and detect the direction and angle of tilt. Combined with sonars, cameras, GPS and car-to-car communication, the EN-V is a car that drives itself.

What difference will it make?

A car of this design will surely solve traffic congestion issues. And best of all, it is a car that you can program with your smartphone to park itself and 'call it' back to you.

Problems

Unfortunately, we won’t see the EN-V on the road anytime soon. GM says it’ll be another 20 or 30 years before these cars would need to hit the road.

3. ZMP RoboCar MEV

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What’s new?

The RoboCar MEV from ZMP has been built on an electric micro-car platform. It uses GPS as well as front and rear sensors. It costs about $35,000 for the simplest version to $84,000 for the fully automatic one.

What difference will it make?

The RoboCar MEV is more of a research vehicle. The findings from this experimental vehicle could lead to commercially viable fully automated cars.

Problems

In its current form the RoboCar MEV is not really practical to own. It is really open and hence offers no protection from the elements.

4.(MIG) Driverless car

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What’s new?

The German MIG - “Made In Germany”, uses sensor technology to create a three-dimensional image of the street to detect bikes, pedestrians and road marking to drive itself independently. Not just that, it responds to traffic lights, follows highway laws it also can stop in emergencies. Passengers can control their MIG using an iPad or smartphone. So one could also switch off the auto pilot and actually drive the car with an iPad.

What difference will it make?

The car’s designers say their invention will make car-sharing more practical. If several people are traveling in the same direction, one unmanned car can pick them all up. Berlin could have 80% fewer cars as an optimal application of the technology.

Problems

As with any new technology, initially the prices will be exorbitantly high. Also the complete success relies on how well the sensor technology performs and how intelligent the artificial intelligence software proves in the decision making that drivers need to do constantly.

5. Autonomous Audi TTS

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What’s new?

The Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak is based on a street-ready Audi TTS sports car. The car currently uses two onboard computers. Two sets of algorithms plus the differential GPS system enable the TTS to drive itself at racing speeds and in a variety of conditions.

What difference will it make?

The Audi TTS Pikes Peak will also be attempting a Guiness Book of World Record land speed attempt. This would tell us a lot about how far the technology can go under extreme circumstances.

Problems

At top speeds of 45mph. a driverless car may not be very appealing from a driving pleasure point-of-view.