Self-driving cars were once considered the transport of the future. Not that long ago, many believed the concept to be more science fiction than fact. Fast forward to today, autonomous vehicles are gaining prominence in the automobile marketplace.
Safety measures continue to be a work-in-progress with certain technology added as issues were discovered. However, the advancement of technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), helps drivers by making critical decisions about dangers when traveling at significant speeds. In addition, various systems and features exist to ensure both protection and efficiency.
Improved Visibility
LED headlights have been mostly replaced in driverless vehicles with their infra-red counterparts. They provide significantly improved visibility, particularly during significant rainstorms, snowstorms, fog, and other types of inclement weather. Nearby bicyclists and pedestrians also benefit as the infrared can detect them with relative ease.
Hacking protections
One of the initial concerns during the early days of self-driving vehicle building and testing surrounded the possibility of hacking into the car’s computer system. Hackers are persistent in overcoming insurmountable and ever-changing security technology to literally take over the operation of a moving vehicle. In response, manufacturers have created remote shutdowns of the autonomous transports. There is a drawback as the ability to locate a centralized point to shut down does not yet exist.
Real-time health monitoring
Sleep-deprived driving is a growing problem that auto manufacturers are aware of by taking appropriate action. While some are able to detect a driver falling asleep, plans are in place to monitor passengers as well for more than just sleeping. Subsequent models could also feature detailed monitoring of passengers, precisely any real-time health issues ranging from intoxication to heart attacks. While seemingly not a problem in driverless cars, consumers with manual drive options can benefit from the features.
The list of cutting-edge safety features continues to grow, with more that can be reviewed in another blog.
