Autonomous driving is also a potential profit center for a variety of technology suppliers.
In the age of autonomous driving, we'll be less alone, thrown into the company of strangers.
Although the concept of complete autonomous driving is valid, it is not yet fully viable.
ENGADGET: Continental gets automated vehicle approved for Nevada roads
People think that autonomous driving is science fiction, but the fact is that the technology is already here.
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Continental's highly automated vehicle, however, is an intermediate step toward autonomous driving.
ENGADGET: Continental gets automated vehicle approved for Nevada roads
Even when semi-autonomous driving capability is available on vehicles, the system will have operational limitations based on external factors such as weather and visibility of lane markings.
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Dr. Eskandarian said that Japan, where navigation systems are hugely popular and automation is a big thing, is making the greatest forward progress in adopting autonomous driving.
So far, Google has logged 500, 000 miles of autonomous driving.
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Without driving one, 37% of drivers aged 18 to 37 would definitely or probably buy a vehicle capable of fully autonomous driving, according to a JD Power research survey.
Autonomous driving in slow traffic is a logical combination of adaptive cruise-control and the lane-keeping systems, already available in some vehicles, which either warn the driver if the car starts to drift out of lane, or apply corrective steering to keep it in lane.
When over an hour a day is spent driving by many, when we spend inordinate amounts of time shuttling people, packages, materials, etc, when humans are terrible at mundane tasks such as driving, how can it not be desirable, even necessary, to move to autonomous driving?
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials have shown interest in autonomous-driving technology and the agency is planning research to better understand the potential safety benefits.
As we write this, soldiers with bionic limbs are returning to active duty, and autonomous cars are driving down our streets.
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At a recent industry conference, industry executives said that by 2020, they expected consumers will be able to buy vehicles that offer limited self-driving capability, and by 2025 fully autonomous vehicles could be available in significant numbers.
Google was awarded an autonomous car patent in 2011, and secured a Nevada driving licence for its self-drive car in May 2012.
BBC: Toyota sneak previews self-drive car ahead of tech show
Audi unveiled its new futuristic LED headlights, which the company claims will increase visibility and reduce the chances of a collision and Lexus unveiled a new high-tech autonomous vehicle that could pave the way towards self-driving cars.
"We are introducing autonomous vehicle technology to improve people's lives by making driving safer, more enjoyable, and more efficient, " the company said.
After completing driving demonstrations on December 18 in Carson City, the DMV's Autonomous Review Committee approved Continental's safety plans, employee training, system functions and accident reporting mechanisms.
ENGADGET: Continental gets automated vehicle approved for Nevada roads
Self-driving cars could drastically improve road safety, according to Prof Paul Newman, who heads an Oxford University autonomous car project project.
BBC: Toyota sneak previews self-drive car ahead of tech show
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