Summary: The autonomous car industry is making significant strides, as evidenced by the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. While there are challenges and slower progress than anticipated, crucial technologies are being showcased, focusing on safety and enhancing road safety through advancements in 3D vision, driver fatigue detection, and more. Despite the distant goal of achieving level 5 automation equivalent to human drivers, investments in automated driver assistance systems are expected to reduce accidents and fatalities. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in the sector, analyzing driver alertness, and positively influencing safety measures. The industry is currently divided between professional and private users, with robotaxis and shuttles leading the way. China is predicted to have hundreds of thousands of robotaxis on the road within the next three to five years. Revenue from autonomous driving is estimated to reach $300 to $400 billion worldwide by 2035.
Safety and technology advancements take the center stage in the autonomous car industry, as demonstrated at CES. Start-ups and established companies alike are emphasizing the role of technology in saving lives and enhancing road safety. Although level 5 automation, which matches a human driver’s abilities, remains a distant goal, level 2 and 2+ driver assistance systems are becoming increasingly common. Christophe Perillat of the French Valeo group predicts that by 2030, 90 percent of vehicles produced worldwide will be equipped with such systems, with a smaller percentage reaching level 3 or 4 automation.
Enhancing safety measures further, AI is being harnessed to analyze driver alertness through facial features and eye movements. This technology has the potential to positively influence driver safety, as highlighted by Adam Burden of Accenture. By monitoring a driver’s level of attentiveness, AI can help prevent accidents caused by fatigue or distraction.
While autonomous vehicles often make headlines due to accidents involving them, a recent study suggests that they may, in fact, be safer than human drivers. Google’s Waymo One driverless taxis were found to be significantly safer for other road users compared to human drivers, according to a study by reinsurer Swiss Re. This finding provides hope and encouragement for the industry, despite the setbacks faced by companies such as Cruise and Tesla.
The autonomous car sector is currently divided into two categories: professional users and private users. Professional users, including fleets of robotaxis and shuttles, are leading the way due to safety and regulatory considerations. Additionally, the higher automation offered by level 4 vehicles is an attractive option for fleets that can operate continuously, as the additional cost of $10,000 is quickly recovered.
The future prospects of the autonomous car industry are promising. McKinsey predicts that hundreds of thousands of robotaxis will be on the road within the next few years, with China taking the lead in adoption. The McKinsey Center for Future Mobility estimates that autonomous driving could yield between $300 and $400 billion worldwide by 2035, reflecting both the potential and economic viability of this revolutionary technology.
The source of the article is from the blog elblog.pl