The Innovative Technologies That Power Self-Driving Cars
An autonomous vehicle is another common name given to self-driving cars, and as the name suggests, these vehicles do not need a human driver’s control to drive the vehicle. There are several sensors and software that work together to operate the vehicle. The amazing tech in self-driving cars is an epitome of advanced technology and the benefits it brings along with it. Some of the technologies used in such vehicles are listed below:
- Radar
Safety is one of the key concerns of people sitting and traveling in a car, and radar technology serves as a safety feature for autonomous cars. It detects any kind of obstruction in blind spots of a car, and thus it is helpful in preventing unfortunate incidents like accidents. It triggers an alarm or alert when it senses some obstruction. - GPS system
The location of the car can be defined with this amazing tech in self-driving cars. GPS is capable of pinpointing an almost accurate location within 1.9 meters. The readings of GPS also include observations from gyroscopes and altimeters, and the combined readings give a precise answer. - Stereo vision
There are two cameras that are mounted on both ends of the windshield, and these cameras capture a real-time 3D image of the path ahead and also look for probable hazards on the way. - Lidar
This ranging system consists of 64 lasers that emit pulses of light, and it captures a 360-degree view of the entire road ahead. The pulses of light also identify the things in the nearby surroundings accurately up to 2 cm. - Lane guidance
There are cameras installed behind the rearview mirror, and their positioning enables them to focus and identify the markings on the lane, plus also distinguish between boundary lines and the surface of the road for secure driving. - Infrared camera
Yet another amazing tech in self-driving cars and these help the car to drive safely during night time since the infrared beams that emit from the headlamps are picked up by the camera, and they provide an extended vision for night driving. The illuminated image is displayed on the dashboard. - Ultrasonic sensors
These sensors are used for measuring and tracking things very close to the car, such as sidewalks and curbs. The sensors can also track other cars nearby, and this comes in handy when it is time to park the car. - Central computer
This system collects tracking data from all the sensors installed in the self-driven car and analyzes the information. The data is then processed and translated on the spot in order to control and navigate the steering of the car, control the brakes and accelerator and respond in real-time driving conditions.
The amazing tech in self-driving cars works in coordination, and thus they are able to control a vehicle just like a human driver does.