Recent figures have indicated that driverless cars have helped bring road traffic accidents in the UK down by 10% since 2013.
Statistics provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders observe that almost 70% of new vehicles sold come with at least one driverless security accessory. On average 6 out 10 new cars are accompanied by intelligent parking assist systems. These implement sensors as well as cameras, so that drivers can fit into small spaces with ease.
“Safety is the No. 1 priority for vehicle manufacturers and the pace of technological change is faster than ever before.” Stated SMMT chief Mike Hawes.
Auto Express has also revealed that just above 40% of new cars can be fitted with overtaking sensors, with autonomous emergency braking possible for over 53%, says Auto Express Magazine.
Uber’s boss Dara Khosrowshahi has predicted that it would take 10 to 15 years for “full autonomy” to arise, with the worldwide company investing millions into progressing the technology.
For Uber, along with other ride-hailing apps, driverless cars are considered a huge prospect, granting commuters the opportunity to order a lift from a group of independent vehicles, as opposed having their own. Taking away the expenditure of human drivers could, in turn, decrease the cost of rides, allowing Uber, and other companies like them to expand enormously.
“The road from now, to fully autonomous, is going to take a significant part of work,” said Mr Khosrowshahi, who took over from Uber’s founder Travis Kalanick last year after a string of controversies.
“We map every city to three centimetres, [that takes] a huge amount of effort and data, and sensor tech has to come down very significantly. Full autonomy, I think we’re talking 10 to 15 years.”
