Automatic for the City

Chapter 2Setting the Scene

Driverless cars are a fantasy as old as the car itself. However, the technologies required to realise the vision only very recently converged and came to fruition. Such technologies are rapidly evolving and improving, requiring a continuous learning process from all stakeholders. In their current form, the technologies still present some reliability issues – particularly under severe weather conditions – although it is expected that these will be overcome in the near future. The American Planning Association in a 2018 report defined autonomous vehicle technology as:

An umbrella term that includes a wide variety of features and technologies that enable vehicles to take control of some or all of the major driving functions ...