Level 5 Autonomous Cars Expected to Roll Out by 2021

When the 2016 statistics indicated another year of increased personal injury accidents on public roads, government leaders and automobile manufacturers around the world began entertaining the idea of self-driving vehicles as a way to reduce accident-related fatalities. Although the technology surrounding this very-real concept is impressive, the rush to become the first with a successful design puts the public at an increased risk for further auto injuries.

The driverless car with no steering wheel seems like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is closer than you might think. The UK has hopes of having fully autonomous vehicles on certain roads and in specified locations by 2021—a date that is just three years away. In November 2017, GM petitioned the federal government for approval to mass-produce vehicles with no pedals and no steering wheel, set to release as early as next year.

Technology in these prototypes includes the following:

• Light-detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors that map the surrounding area up to three football fields away within 30 milliseconds;
• Ultrasonic sensors that measure the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects;
• Radar to identify fast-approaching traffic 900 feet ahead and 1800 feet behind;
• High definition mapping to locate the car with extreme accuracy;
• Cameras that mimic the human eye to monitor changing conditions;
• System failure brake actuator if the primary system fails;
• Tire monitors inside of the tires to continually track pressure and tread and adjust the driving pattern accordingly;
• V2X technology to allow communication between the vehicle and other vehicles, pedestrians, and cell phones;
• Two separate 12-volt circuits o power the system to prevent system failure; and
• An Assisted and Automated Drive Control Unit (ADCU) to process the data and determine the best drive path and course of action.

Although humans are far from the perfect drivers, we are better than we think. Most people drive hundreds of thousands of miles before any accident, even a minor one. With governments and auto manufacturers rushing to be the first to create a mass-produced level 5 vehicle, small details may become overlooked—a scary thought if you consider thousands of pounds of steel hurtling driverless down the interstate. Accidents happen every day and, at least for now, most are preventable with proper driving techniques.

If you or a loved one have injuries from an automobile accident, you may be owed financial compensation. A San Jose car accident injury lawyer can analyze the details of your case. For decades, the attorneys at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. have helped clients like you take home the maximum dollar amount owed to them for their damages. Call us today at (408) 289-1417 to review your options in a free initial consultation.

• This Is the Tech Fully Autonomous (Level 5) Cars Will Need To Have
• Level 5 driverless cars by 2021 can be done, say Brit industry folk
• Report: GM and Waymo lead driverless car race; Tesla lags far behind