TechDogs-"What You Don't Know About Autonomous Mobility"

Emerging Technology

What You Don't Know About Autonomous Mobility

By TechDogs Editorial Team

TechDogs
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Overview

Imagine being late for work (you know, it’s one of those days!). You realize that your commute would take half an hour even if you left immediately – but your shirt still needs to be ironed, the plants need to be watered and your lunch isn’t going to pack itself. You dream about teleportation and other sci-fi stuff that would have helped you reach the office on time, yet nothing comes to mind.

However, that’s where you’re wrong! Imagine owning a self-driving vehicle – and no, we do not mean a Transformer - a car that just needs to know your destination and off it goes! While the car handles driving, you can add finishing touches to your presentation or have breakfast (which we know you were trying to skip!). Self-driving vehicles are no longer the stuff of science fiction; Autonomous Mobility is here to revolutionize how we commute from point A to point B.

It was Google that set a precedent by launching a self-driving car project started in 2009. Since then, newer and better technologies have been taking over the mundane task of driving, as companies are racing (pun intended!) to make the most customer-friendly and convenient autonomous vehicles. Excited?

Join us for a quick ride through the world of Autonomous Mobility.
TechDogs-"What You Don't Know About Autonomous Mobility"-Riving Cars Is So 1880's, It's Time To Drive Into The Future...
Hello, I am Johnny Cab, where can I take you tonight?”
Drive! Drive! Anywhere!”

Flashback? Anyone? No?

We're talking about the escape scene from the 1990s hit, Total Recall, featuring the Johnny Cab, a fully automated cab that helped Arnold run away from the bad guys. We think the Johnny Cab might have influenced Uber's business model about 20 years before the company was built in 2009!

Sorry, Johnny Cab, time and technology wait for no one! We improve; so, has Autonomous Mobility. On June 4, 2017, Audi announced their new car, the Audi A8. The car uses Artificial Intelligence to drive autonomously at up to 60 kilometers per hour. Unlike earlier cars, this technology does not require the driver to undertake safety checks such as touching the steering wheel every 15 seconds. As a result, the Audi A8 would be the first mass-market vehicle to achieve Level 3 autonomy (the car does everything, you just keep an eye, of course). How futuristic is that!

Let’s dive into the details and see what Autonomous Mobility actually means, shall we?
 

What Is Autonomous Mobility?


An Autonomous Mobility Vehicle (AMV), often known as a driverless vehicles or a self driving cars, can move and steer itself without any need for human assistance. Through a combination of sensors, cameras, radar and Artificial Intelligence, AMVs can understand what is going on in their surroundings and react accordingly. The sensory data is interpreted by the car’s control systems to detect obstructions and pick the best navigation course.

Da Vinci would be ecstatic to see how far his concept of an automated cart has come - yes, you read that right. Da Vinci had proposed a design for a self-propelled cart back when we didn’t even have engines!

Tag along to learn the history of Autonomous Mobility. 
 

The Flashback


Nearly every aspect of today’s technological revolution has its roots in history – Autonomous Mobility is no different. Read on to know how we went from autonomous carts to Johnny Cabs!
 
  • Da Vinci’s Self-Propelled Cart (c. 1500)

    Leonardo da Vinci created a self-propelled cart centuries before the creation of automobiles. The cart was powered by high-tension springs and the steering could be pre-programmed, so the cart could follow a specific path. The invention is frequently referred to as the world's first robot.

  • Teetor Cruise Control (1945)

    Ralph Teetor, an engineer, was so irritated by the rocking motion he experienced in a car that his attorney was driving, that he invented one of the first cruise control systems. He employed a mechanical throttle that could control the vehicle's speed and ensure a comfortable riding experience. The invention was made commercially available in 1958. If you’re wondering why Teetor wasn’t driving the car, well, it’s because he was blind!

  • DARPA Challenges (2004-2013)

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a research arm of the US Department of Defense, sponsored a series of competitions that pushed autonomous technology forward. A competition was held in 2004 to evaluate vehicles' ability to self-navigate 150 miles on a desert road. Even though no automobile completed the course, succeeding challenges have seen significant advancements in capability. Four cars finished the route in the allotted six-hour time limit in the 2007 challenge, which mimicked a 60-mile-long urban environment.

  • Tesla Autopilot (2015)

    The electric vehicle manufacturer is perhaps the most well-known business when it comes to autonomous vehicles. A notable component of Tesla's semi-autonomous "Autopilot" function is that it allows hands-free operation on freeways. This feature was launched in late 2015 and provided to owners in the form of a single software update. How cool is that!


Speaking of hands-free driving, do you remember the green Rolls Royce Phantom from “Johnny English Reborn” that could follow Johnny (or beloved Mr. Bean, as most of us know him) just by voice commands. We wish we could ask that Rolls Royce to explain how Autonomous Mobility works – however, for now, here’s a brief working of these vehicles.
 

The Working Of Autonomous Mobility


TechDogs-"The Working Of Autonomous Mobility"-A Vector Image Showing Autonomous Vehicles Interacting
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of Autonomous Mobility vehicles. You know that massive volumes of data are generated by an AMVs sensor and it needs to be analyzed in real-time to create systems that can drive themselves. The AI-powered control systems identify patterns in the data, which includes images from cameras, proximity detectors, LIDAR and ultrasonic sensors, etc. Analyzing this data enables autonomous vehicles to identify traffic lights, trees, curbs, pedestrians, street signs and other parts of the driving environment.

To design a system that can drive itself, AMV developers use sensors and real-time analytics technologies, which have the potential to drastically shape the way we commute. However, not all AMVS are the same – let's take a look!
 

The Gears Of Autonomous Mobility


The degree at which autonomous technologies operate and the extent of human engagement determine the levels involved in Autonomous Mobility. Six levels of automation are currently under development
 
  • Level 0

    The vehicle has no control over its operations at level 0. The human driver is in control of driving.

  • Level 1

    At this level, the Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) in the vehicle can assist the driver with steering, acceleration and braking through adaptive cruise control.

  • Level 2

    Here, too, the ADAS can assist with steering, acceleration and braking but the driver must maintain undivided attention to the driving environment and can take control of the car at any time.

  • Level 3

    At this level, ADAS can execute all functions of driving but the driver needs to regain control when the ADAS requests it. It also assists the driver make informed decisions through environmental detection.

  • Level 4

    The vehicle's ADAS can perform all driving responsibilities independently with no human intervention at all. That’s thrilling, isn’t it?

  • Level 5

    This level entails complete automation, wherein the vehicle's ADAS can execute all functions under all conditions and the driver’s intervention is not necessary. The use of 5G technology will enable Level 5 as vehicles will be able to communicate not just with one another but also with traffic lights, digital signage and even the roads themselves.


This would certainly allow you to relax and take in the tranquility of a road trip, instead of worrying about the speed limit and traffic! If that sounded pleasant, there's more – read on!


What’s In It for You?


The Autonomous Mobility revolution's primary goal is to make our lives easier. Buckle up, as we discover the advantages of Autonomous Mobility.
 
  • Green Driving

    One of the key aspects of the discussion over AMVs is the environment. Internal combustion engines will most likely not be used in autonomous cars. Furthermore, since AMVs will drive at steady speeds, continuous braking and acceleration will be minimized. All these things will help decrease emissions and make the environment more sustainable.

  • Better Mode Of Transportation

    AMVs could be a safe and reliable form of transportation for people who are disabled or unable to drive. Cities with little public transportation would likewise benefit from self-driving automobiles. This will allow towns to focus on improving other elements of the city while also allowing you to travel at a lower price.

  • Low Fuel Consumption

    By accelerating and decelerating more smoothly than a human driver, AMVs can improve fuel economy by 4–10%. Additional benefits could be obtained by shortening the distance between vehicles and increasing roadway capacity. Cars and trucks would become much lighter, improving the fuel economy.


Transportation is unquestionably one of the world's most dynamic and fascinating sectors. Connected autonomous vehicles, shared mobility concepts and the transition to electric vehicles are just a few of the most interesting possibilities that we can see. So, without any further ado, let us look at the future trends within Autonomous Mobility.
 

Let’s Ride To The Future!


TechDogs-"Let’s Ride To The Future!"-An Image Showing A Futuristic Autonomous Mobility Concept
The future of Autonomous Mobility might just be like Iron Man’s suit. Just step in and off you go! That would be an enjoyable ride, that’s for sure.
 
  • Self-Driving Trucks Will Become Reality

    Trucks are the perfect candidates for automation since they spend most of their time driving on straight, easy-to-navigate freeways. Mercedes-Benz debuted its “Arocs” semi-autonomous trucks in 2019, which can effectively drive themselves on freeways while allowing drivers to step in and take charge in urban situations where greater precision is required. Way to go Mercedes!

  • Mobility-as-a-Service

    According to numerous prominent players in the autonomous driving game, a prominent trend is that most people will no longer own a vehicle. A Google subsidiary "Waymo" began testing its Autonomous Mobility taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona in 2018 and if things go well, we can expect to see it expand to other cities as well. Ford, General Motors and Uber, among others, are expected to launch comparable services soon. We might soon end up hiring a cab with no one in the driver's seat when it arrives!

  • Reduced Traffic Congestion

    The ability of AMVs to communicate with each other is one of its primary advantages. Cars would be able to communicate in real-time, allowing them to travel at optimal distances from one another. Not only that but they would figure out the best route for you to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Relieved? So were we!

Conclusion


“Self-driving cars will double the capacity of highways because the variability of human drivers will be taken out of the equation.” – Dave Waters

With Autonomous Mobility, we will have faster commerce and trade, leading to a more stimulating economic drive. Moreover, Autonomous Mobility will reduce the scope of human error and enable machines to take over the mundane yet crucial tasks of transportation. It won’t be wrong to claim that Autonomous Mobility solutions will be a game-changer for several industries.

While that is fantastic news, we at TechDogs, must confess that we will miss the roar of a Porsche 911 or a Ford Mustang drifting on the streets. Will you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Autonomous Mobility?


Autonomous Mobility refers to the capability of vehicles to move and navigate without human intervention. These vehicles, often called driverless or self-driving cars, leverage a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to perceive and interpret their surroundings. By analyzing sensory data in real-time, Autonomous Mobility vehicles can detect obstacles and determine the optimal route to navigate safely.

How do Autonomous Mobility vehicles operate?


At the core of Autonomous Mobility vehicles is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which processes vast amounts of data generated by sensors and analyzes it to enable autonomous driving. These vehicles utilize various sensors, including cameras, proximity detectors, LIDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, to perceive the environment around them. AI-powered control systems then identify patterns in the data to recognize objects such as traffic lights, pedestrians, and road signs. By continuously analyzing sensory data, Autonomous Mobility vehicles can make real-time decisions to navigate roads safely.

What are the benefits of Autonomous Mobility?


Autonomous Mobility offers numerous advantages, including environmental sustainability, enhanced transportation accessibility, and improved fuel efficiency. By minimizing continuous braking and acceleration, Autonomous Mobility vehicles contribute to reduced emissions and environmental impact. Moreover, they provide a safe and reliable mode of transportation for individuals with disabilities or those unable to drive. Additionally, Autonomous Mobility vehicles can improve fuel economy by operating more smoothly than human drivers, thereby reducing fuel consumption and enhancing roadway capacity. Overall, Autonomous Mobility represents a significant advancement in transportation technology with far-reaching benefits for society.

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