Self-driving cars are one of the most revolutionary technological advancements of our time. As with any new technology, safety is paramount for these vehicles. To ensure the safety of their passengers and those around them, self-driving cars have various features designed to keep everyone safe.
With advances in technology, self-driving cars will be safer than human operated vehicles. In the US, 30,000 lives are lost each year in motor vehicle accidents, often due to fatigue, human error, and drunk driving.
Autonomous vehicles function without these behaviors, potentially saving thousands of lives. Here is a look at some of the advanced safety features of self-driving vehicles.
Automated Emergency Braking
Most self-driving cars come with an automated emergency braking system. This system is designed to detect when the car is approaching danger, such as a sudden stop in traffic. When this happens, the system automatically applies the vehicle’s brakes and brings it to a safe stop.
Additionally, automated emergency braking systems can be configured to detect and respond to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles on the road. This feature is designed to reduce the risk of collisions when driving in busy urban areas.
Blind Spot Monitoring
Blind spot monitoring is an important safety feature that helps drivers keep a lookout for approaching traffic while they’re behind the wheel. The system uses sensors to detect and alert drivers of any vehicles entering their blind spots.
Blind spot monitoring systems are also available with self-driving cars, allowing them to detect potential hazards outside the driver’s field of view.
Night Vision Capability
Self-driving cars have night vision cameras to detect obstacles in low-light conditions. This feature helps passengers stay safe when driving at night and avoid obstacles that may be difficult to spot during daylight hours. With this feature enabled, self-driving cars can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles more easily.
Lane-Keeping Assist
Lane-keeping assist is a feature in some self-driving cars that helps keep the vehicle within its lane. It does this by using sensors to detect when the car drifts from its lane and then automatically adjust the steering to course-correct.
This prevents cars from unintentionally veering off their intended trajectory, which could cause potential hazards. When enabled, lane-keeping assist can also keep the car at a safe speed and provide gentle steering adjustments to ensure the vehicle is always in its intended lane.
Autonomous Collision Avoidance
Autonomous collision avoidance systems are designed to help self-driving cars stay clear of accidents. This system uses cameras and sensors to detect obstacles in the vehicle’s path. When a potential hazard is detected, the car automatically slows down or stops to avoid a collision. This feature can reduce the risk of serious injury or death from a collision.
Automated Parking
Self-driving cars come with automated parking capabilities, allowing them to navigate tight spaces and parallel park easily. This feature uses sensors to map out the vehicle’s location and detect any obstacles in its path. Once the car is in position, it automatically adjusts its speed and steering to ensure it parks safely and accurately.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control is a feature that helps keep a car at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it. This system uses sensors to detect when the car ahead is slowing down and then automatically adjusts its speed accordingly.
This helps prevent rear-end collisions and provides drivers with a more comfortable driving experience by avoiding sudden stops or starts.
Self-driving cars have many advanced safety features designed to help drivers stay safe. These features include blind spot monitoring, night vision capability, lane-keeping assist, autonomous collision avoidance, automated parking, and adaptive cruise control.
These systems work together to ensure that self-driving cars can safely navigate busy urban areas and provide drivers with a comfortable and stress-free driving experience.
