Autonomous vehicle technology is a complex combination of algorithms, sensors, actuators, vehicle components, operating software, and processors, each of which plays a critical role and is indispensable.

      Self-driving cars can accurately map their surroundings and monitor the location and real-time conditions of nearby vehicles, traffic lights, pedestrians, and lane markings. Current research shows that while significant improvements to each of these subsystems are still required to achieve a fully functional, safe autonomous vehicle, once these milestone improvements are achieved, not only will people change the way the car operates, but they will also discover Its impact extends far beyond the realm of self-driving cars. In a recent report by the US "Forbes" biweekly website, it looked forward to 4 ways that self-driving cars are expected to change the world in the future.

      reduce traffic accidents

      According to data provided by the World Health Organization, about 1.3 million people die in traffic accidents every year, and this number is likely to reach 2.2 million in 2030. Most of these accidents are caused by errors of human judgment. In addition, about 32 people die in crashes caused by drunk driving every day in the United States, which means one person is killed almost every 45 minutes. Today, road traffic injuries are the eighth leading cause of death globally.

      Self-driving cars can avoid traffic accidents caused by driver errors and reduce the occurrence of drinking and malicious driving. Sensors and cameras on the body of a self-driving car can help the car sense what's ahead, bad weather, and the possibility of other cars going in a certain direction. Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, has equipped its fifth-generation self-driving cars with complementary sensors, including lidar, 360-degree cameras and more, tech devices that help the vehicle respond to weather conditions, time of day and other Similar factors adjust driving conditions.

      If self-driving cars became the main mode of transportation, traffic fatalities would be reduced by 94%. Research by foreign institutions shows that if 90% of the cars on American roads are converted to self-driving cars, the number of deaths will drop from 33,000 to 11,300 a year.

      Declining car ownership

      Owning a car costs a lot of money every year, but most cars spend most of the time sitting quietly in the parking lot.

      Most self-driving cars in the future are likely to operate as shared vehicles, mostly owned by shared vehicle companies. As a result, the number of car owners will be reduced, which will help reduce traffic problems and save unnecessary parking spaces. McKinsey & Company estimates that self-driving cars will save about 61 billion square feet of parking space in the United States.

      Self-driving cars can also allow users to save money on car purchases. According to the National Association of Automobile Dealers, the average American buys a new car for about $30,000. IHS, an American auto research firm, estimates that by 2035, self-driving technology can reach a level that does not require human control at all, and its price will further drop to $3,000.

      According to data provided by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute, once self-driving cars are adopted, the number of cars in the United States will drop by up to 43%. Sebastian Tron, a computer expert at Stanford University in the United States, also pointed out that once self-driving cars become mainstream, only 30% of the cars on the road will be needed.

     In addition to improving operational efficiency, self-driving cars will also improve fuel efficiency and vehicle utilization as they optimize acceleration, braking, and shifting. It is expected that by 2050, the cost of using urban vehicles will be reduced by 40%.

     Logistics accelerates to automation

     Self-driving cars could also be used to deliver food and packages in the future. Self-driving cars will enable businesses to meet customer needs quickly and smoothly. Self-driving cars and semi-autonomous trucks can be equipped with a variety of special sensors and cameras to identify objects and addresses.