Self-driving car

A self-driving car, also known as an autonomous car, driverless car, or robotic car (robo-car), is a car that can drive with little or no help from a person. These cars use special tools like LiDAR (which measures distances using light) and cameras to "see" the world around them. They also rely on GPS and smart computer programs to make decisions about driving.

As of 2026, no self-driving car can drive perfectly in every situation. Companies like Waymo have started offering driverless taxis in some areas, but these cars still face challenges. They need very detailed maps and lots of testing to stay safe on busy roads. There are also questions about how to make sure these cars are secure and reliable, and how laws should handle them.

People’s feelings about self-driving cars are mixed. Some are excited about the idea of not having to drive, while others are worried about safety. As these cars develop, they could change how we build cities and how we travel, but many challenges still need to be solved.

History

Self-driving cars, also called autonomous or driverless cars, can drive with little or no help from a person. These cars use sensors and computers to find their way and make choices. The idea of self-driving cars started in the late 1920s. As technology has gotten better, we now have cars that can drive themselves in many situations. Some companies use self-driving cars as robotaxis for ridesharing services. However, there is no single definition for what makes a "self-driving" car, and the word is often used in advertising.

Definitions

Organizations like SAE International have made rules for calling a car "self-driving," but there is no single definition everyone agrees on. Different companies use different words and features, so it can be confusing.

Some cars can drive themselves only in certain places or conditions. For example, some cars can drive without driver help only on highways, while others need a driver ready to take over at any time. The words used, like "full self-driving" or "autopilot," don’t always mean the same thing. In the United Kingdom, a car is called self-driving if it is officially registered that way, not just because it has certain features. Some experts say that using words like "autonomous" in ads might make people think the car can drive itself more than it really can.

Technology

Main article: Vehicular automation

Self-driving cars use special technology to "see" and understand what is around them. They have sensors like cameras and radar that gather information about the road, other cars, and traffic signs. This information helps the car decide how to move safely.

These cars also use maps to know how to get from one place to another. Some maps are simple, and some are very detailed. The car uses these maps and its sensors to navigate. Artificial intelligence helps the car think through all this information and make good choices while driving.

Challenges

Self-driving cars, also called autonomous cars, need special software and maps to work well in all kinds of weather and road conditions. They must also handle other cars, obstacles, and confusing traffic rules. This makes them hard to develop.

There are also concerns about cost, safety, and how people feel about using them. Some companies have been accused of calling their cars "self-driving" when they still need a human driver nearby. There are also worries about security, like hackers trying to steal information from these cars. Self-driving cars might also change jobs, since many people work as drivers, and this could affect many lives.

Testing

Self-driving cars, also called autonomous cars, can be tested in many ways. They might be tested using computer programs, in special areas made just for testing, or on regular streets. When testing on public roads, there are often rules to follow. For example, in New York, a person must sit in the car and be ready to help if needed.

In the 2020s, many new ways to test self-driving cars were developed. Different companies used different rules for when a car needed a person to take over. In 2021, a group called WP.29 suggested a way to test these cars. Later that year, tests were done in Hamburg, Germany, to try out new car technology on normal streets. In 2022, a safety test method was created, and companies like Nissan and Waymo showed how their cars could avoid crashes. Researchers also studied how people react when they see a self-driving car without anyone inside.

Safety

A study in 2024 looked at how safe self-driving cars are compared to cars driven by people. It found that self-driving cars are often safer, especially in bad weather like heavy rain or fog. But they can have more trouble seeing at dawn and dusk.

Some self-driving cars, like robotaxis, can drive all by themselves. Others have helper systems that make driving easier but still need a person to watch and steer when needed.

Because self-driving technology is new, there have been some problems. For example, in 2016, a Tesla car using its helper system had an accident in China. In 2018, an accident in Arizona involved a self-driving car from Uber. These events show that more testing and learning are needed to make self-driving cars completely safe for everyone.

Public opinion surveys

In 2011, a survey in the United States and the United Kingdom found that almost half of people felt okay with using a car that drives itself. In another survey in 2012, about a third of car owners were interested in buying a self-driving car, but fewer wanted it if it cost more.

More recent surveys show that people have different thoughts about self-driving cars. Some worry about safety or how the cars might share information, while others see good points. In 2022, only about a quarter of people worldwide said they would feel safe in a self-driving car.

Regulation

Main article: Regulation of self-driving cars

See also: Regulation of algorithms

Self-driving cars, also called autonomous or driverless cars, can drive with little or no help from a person. Right now, there are no clear rules about what makes a car “self-driving.” Companies sometimes use this term in their ads. Laws about these cars are still being made to keep them safe and work well for everyone.

Commercialization

See also: History of self-driving cars § 2020s

Self-driving cars can change how much they can do based on what they need to do and the situation.

As of 2023, most cars you can buy have Level 2 self-driving features. Some companies have reached higher levels, but only in certain places. Even cars below Level 5 offer many helpful features.

Level 2 – Partial automation

See also: Lane centering § Sample of level 2 automated cars, and List of self-driving system suppliers § Date of first public road driverless operation

Level 2 features are found in many cars. In the US, half of new cars have help for steering and speed control.

Ford started offering a service called BlueCruise in 2022. It helps with staying in lane, reading street signs, and driving hands-free on many highways. In April 2023, BlueCruise became approved for use in the UK on certain motorways.

Tesla's Autopilot and its Full Self-Driving systems have been in all Tesla cars since 2016. These systems help with driving on highways and streets, changing lanes, and avoiding crashes, but the driver must always be ready to take control.

Level 3 – Conditional automation

As of April 2024, only two car makers sold Level 3 cars: Honda in Japan, and Mercedes in Germany, Nevada and California.

Mercedes Drive Pilot has been available on the EQS and S-class sedan in Germany since 2022, and in California and Nevada since 2023. It can only be used under certain conditions, like on freeways mapped by Mercedes.

As of 2026, the only level 3 cars in China are Deepal SL03 and Arcfox αS.

Level 4 – High automation

In 2024, companies like Waymo started offering self-driving taxi services in some parts of the US. These cars drive completely on their own but do not yet cost less than regular cars to operate.

In April 2023 in Japan, a new rule allowed Level 4 self-driving cars. ZEN drive Pilot Level 4 made by AIST operates there.