An autonomous car, also known as robotic or informally as driverless or self-driving, is an autonomous vehicle capable of fulfilling the human transportation capabilities of a traditional car. As an autonomous vehicle, it is capable of sensing its environment and navigating on its own. A human may choose a destination, but is not required to perform any mechanical operation of the vehicle.
Autonomous vehicles sense the world with such techniques as radar, lidar, GPS and computer vision. Advanced control systems interpret the information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacles and relevant signage. Autonomous vehicles typically update their maps based on sensory input, such that they can navigate through uncharted environments.
There have been several programs around the world. In June 2011 the state of Nevada was the first jurisdiction in the United States to pass a law concerning the operation of autonomous cars. The Nevada law went into effect on March 1, 2012, and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles issued the first license for a self-driven car in May 2012. The license was issued to a Toyota Prius modified with Google's experimental driverless technology. Three U.S. states have passed laws permitting driverless cars, as of September 2012: Nevada, Florida and California.
Read more about Autonomous Car: Benefits, History, Legislation, Vehicular Communication Systems, Early Public Opinion
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—Robert Havighurst (20th century)
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