Cars, buses, trucks, vans, or any modern form of transport have always been an inseparable part of our lives. Currently, there are over 1.2 billion gas/diesel powered vehicles hitting the world's roads every day. The emissions that result from the transport sector are currently responsible for over 25% of the world’s gas emissions. These emissions have built up over time and continue to harm our fragile environment and have served as a catalyst for many concerning environmental issues such as global warming and climate change. If the human race continues to misuse the Earth's resources like so, we won't be many generations away from an uninhabitable planet. However, recent advancements in technology have provided a glimmer of hope for the automobile industry. Autonomous, or self-driving cars, many of which are electric, are designed to be completely safe and don't require much maneuvering on the driver's part. Computers within the car will be able to calculate optimal routes to one's destination and will thus save fuel and avoid day-to-day accidents and traffic jams. This will decrease the amount of harmful emissions released while still being able to travel farther distances. Additionally, autonomous vehicles use less parts, meaning less plastic will be consumed, and we all know how harmful it is to the environment. This all sounds great, but how exactly does a self driving car work? How do big companies like Tesla actually manufacture these astounding vehicles?
As mentioned before, self-driving technology is becoming increasingly common and could radically transform our transportation system, and by extension, our economy and society. Various self-driving technologies have been developed by Google, Uber, Tesla, Nissan, and other major automakers, researchers, and technology companies. While design details vary, most self-driving systems create and maintain an internal map of their surroundings, based on a wide array of sensors, like radar. Radar sensors monitor the position of nearby vehicles. Video cameras detect traffic lights, read road signs, track other vehicles, and look for pedestrians. LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors bounce pulses of light off the car’s surroundings to measure distances, detect road edges, and identify lane markings. Ultrasonic sensors in the wheels detect curbs and other vehicles when parking. Google and Uber use such a mechanical foundation for their prototypes. They also develop software which uses artificial intelligence techniques to process those inputs, plots a path, and send instructions to the vehicle’s “actuators,” which control acceleration, braking, and steering. Hard-coded rules, obstacle avoidance algorithms, predictive modeling, and “smart” object recognition help the software follow traffic rules and navigate obstacles.
A look at one of Google's autonomous car prototypes.
Scientists are currently developing cars that are of level 3-4. In the coming few decades, level 5 cars may be introduced to the market and benefit the environment even more. Let's dive deeper into the details.
One of the biggest plus points of autonomous vehicles is that it will increase fuel efficiency, thus cutting down on emissions. This is because no speeding, harsh breaking or idling, for example, will save gas and cutting down on emissions.
Statistics:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), automated cars could reduce the energy consumption rates by 90 to 200%.
According to a study by the University of California, Davis, if automated vehicles are electrified and shared, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by as much as 80 percent by 2050. If they are not shared and not electrified, on the other hand, the study projected that greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector would go up by 50 percent in that same period. This is why level 5 cars need to be invented by these tech companies.
Continuously developing technology will soon be capable of automating all vehicles and thus, we will be able to preserve the Earth, our one and only home.
Thank you for the information sir.
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