DETROIT, MICH.–Autonomous driving is coming. At what rate of arrival and development we can’t be sure. But automakers have dramatically pared back their r&d on internal combustion engines in favor of autonomous or self-driving vehicles.
Before we see a lot of people driving around reading books and watching movies from the driver seat, though, the tech is being deployed in practical applications like collision avoidance systems, automatic emergency braking, etc.
Indeed, intelligent braking systems are a key component to this tech trend.
Each Friday, The Brake Report will compile a roundup of Autonomous Vehicle news and developments we think will be useful to our readers.
Self-Driving cars Coming To Florida
Self-driving vehicles could be operated in Florida without a human on board under a bill going to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Senate unanimously passed the bill with no debate Wednesday, a move that could pave the way for companies like Uber and Lyft to deploy fleets of driverless vehicles.
Toyota Investing Fresh $100 million in AVs
Toyota is creating a $100 million venture fund to invest in autonomous driving and robotic technology start-ups as automakers increasingly push into the self-driving market.
Toyota AI Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based subsidiary of Toyota, plans to invest the money into early-stage startups that are developing “disruptive” technologies in those fields.
“Auto manufacturers must participate in the startup ecosystem to stay ahead of the rapid shift in the auto industry,” Jim Adler, managing director of Toyota AI Ventures, said in a statement.
Survivors of a Man Killed in Tesla Blame AutoPilot
SAN FRANCISCO — The family of a man killed in a fiery wreck last year while driving his Tesla along U.S. Route 101 in California is suing the electric vehicle maker, alleging wrongful death and negligence stemming from failures and false promises regarding the Autopilot driver-assistance system.
Making AV Systems as Assertive As Humans
Autonomous cars are new, and they’re interesting propositions because they want to replace something humans have done for decades. So, it makes plenty of sense that companies and automakers are erring toward the side of caution. Being overly cautious, though, has caused drivers to become frustrated with autonomous vehicles. Intel and Mobileye have come up with a program to make autonomous cars more assertive and, therefore, more like human drivers.
