Self Driving Cars: Automaker Predictions
Self-driving vehicles may be headed to roads near you sooner than expected. Once considered a sci-fi fantasy in the same vein as AR and VR technology, driverless cars are rapidly becoming more sophisticated.
The following predictions from major automakers will help you better understand how you should expect the self-driving car to improve and develop in the near future. Whether you are an average consumer or a professional automobile expert, it will be interesting to see which driverless car predictions come true and which miss the mark.
Ford Expects Fully Autonomous Cars to Play a Major Role in Delivery
Ford’s confidence in the potential of self-driving vehicles is obvious. The automaker has invested heavily in the development of such machines. The plan is to start selling them by 2021.
A recent deal between Walmart and Ford reveals more insights into Ford’s goals for autonomous vehicles. Although it is likely Ford will make its driverless cars available to consumers, the company also has plans to use them as delivery vehicles. This could potentially help businesses such as Walmart boost efficiency and save money as fully autonomous cars would eliminate the need for human drivers.
General Motors Wants to Revolutionize Rideshare Services with a Driverless Car
GM is another auto giant that’s been testing its self-driving car in recent years. The company has stated its goal is to offer a driverless alternative to Uber and Lyft in 2019. Even if GM doesn’t meet that deadline, the automaker is still working on this project.
This is another example of a major car company predicting a near future in which autonomous cars disrupt major industries. While Ford is focused on delivery services, GM wants to make rideshare services even more convenient and budget-friendly to customers.
Volvo Emphasizes Cooperation for Self-Driving Car Production
GM’s strategy apparently involves challenging major rideshare businesses. Volvo, on the other hand, is taking a more collaborative approach by partnering with Uber to supply a line of fully autonomous car.
The automobile brand also plans to stand out among the competition by designing luxury autonomous vehicles. If consumers enjoy the stress-free convenience a driverless car offers, they might also be interested in a more premium experience.
Tesla Wants Autonomous Vehicles on the Road in 2019
Tesla’s brand is almost synonymous with innovation in this industry. Whether that reputation is warranted may be up for debate, but it is easy to understand why consumers perceive the brand this way: Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not afraid to make bold predictions. Thus, despite setbacks, he remains confident that Tesla will have self-driving vehicles consistently traveling on major roads before the end of 2019.
These are by no means the only companies investigating the technology behind self driving cars. Many well-known automakers are experimenting with autonomous vehicles to some degree. They are also betting on their potential to disrupt various aspects of daily life. If their predictions come true, a future of fully autonomous cars could arrive sooner rather than later.
Bobby Gill