Costs and Benefits of Autonomous Auto Technology
Currently, there are two main types of autonomous car technology: Level 1 and Level 2. While Level 1 systems automatically maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, Level 2 systems perform more complex tasks such as steering and braking. Ultimately, this type of technology can be used for both personal and commercial vehicles.
Toyota’s Guardian system
Among the many announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last January, Toyota revealed the inner workings of its driver-assistance technology, Toyota’s Guardian system. The company claims that the technology will save lives when it becomes available.
The Guardian system combines the driver’s skills with an AI system to enhance the driver’s experience. It also provides an added level of safety, and can intervene when a driver makes a potentially deadly mistake.
According to Toyota, the Guardian system was inspired by studies of control systems used by fighter jets. The technology uses data from sensors in the vehicle to alert the driver of an impending danger. It also combines the driver’s steering wheel controls with the AI system to achieve a more stable driving experience.
Toyota’s Guardian technology is designed to work alongside existing autonomous driving systems to enhance the safety of drivers. The system can detect pedestrians, drowsy driving, and distracted driving and alert the driver of any issues.
Ford’s health monitoring system
Earlier this year, Ford announced it would invest $1 billion over five years in Argo AI, a company devoted to developing autonomous vehicles. The announcement came just as the industry was getting excited about the development of self-driving cars. However, Ford is now saying the company will stop investing in Argo AI and focus its efforts on developing driver-assistance systems.
Ford and Volkswagen both held a majority stake in Argo AI, and the companies said they would work on vehicles that incorporate the autonomous driving technology. However, Ford took an $827 million loss on its investment in Argo AI in the third quarter.
Ford’s $1 billion investment came at a time when the self-driving car industry was abuzz with news of startups developing eye-catching venture capital deals. However, Ford executives say they don’t see a path to profitability on fully autonomous vehicles. Instead, they say they will focus on developing partially automated driver-assistance systems.
Level 2 driving automation
Those who have read about the development of autonomous auto technology have probably heard the term “Level 2 driving automation.” These are vehicles that utilize advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) to perform driving tasks. They can take over acceleration and steering in certain situations. However, human drivers still need to be present in the car at all times.
Level 2 driving automation is most common in today’s cars. Many manufacturers offer a variety of safety features to protect drivers. These features include automatic brake and steering systems. Some manufacturers even offer features such as Highway Driving Assist, which brakes the car and steers it on selected highways.
Level 3 driving automation is a bit more advanced than Level 2. These cars use advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and artificial intelligence (AI) to perform tasks. They can detect and react to hazards, as well as preoccupied drivers. They also use data from cameras and sensors to give the driver a complete picture of the surroundings.
Costs of autonomous auto technology
Despite the high-profile benefits of autonomous auto technology, they may actually end up costing more to the world than they save. A recent study analyzed costs and benefits of autonomous vehicles. In addition to identifying what the technology will cost, the study also examined the benefits for society and how they can be offset by costs.
Using data from Sweden, the study calculated the costs and benefits of autonomous vehicles over the next twenty-five years. The benefits include fewer accidents, reduced fuel consumption, and improved safety. They also looked at the effects on external stakeholders, including insurance companies and car repair centers. The study found that the biggest benefits are saved driver costs for cars and trucks.
The study also looked at how autonomous vehicles could affect traffic flow. Using the Swedish Transport Administration’s traffic forecasts, the study calculated total traffic in Sweden in 2025 and 2040. They found that autonomous trucks would replace manually-driven trucks over the next several decades.
