back to automotive insight startpage automotive filtration insight

Who’s going to
drive you home?

Opportunities and challenges of self-driving cars for future mobility

Autonomous driving can make it possible to check emails in the car on the way to work, watch a movie or have a bite to eat with your fellow passengers on a long drive to go on vacation. But how far away are we from such a future? And what are the downsides?

Self-driving cars are a vision that has long been entertained. The problem is that traffic is extremely complex and not always clear. Autonomous systems must therefore correctly detect and interpret the surrounding environment, and make coherent decisions about driving. Thanks to technological development and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, a number of car manufacturers are currently subjecting ever more autonomous systems – consisting of a variety of sensors, cameras, and AI-supported software – to rigorous development, testing and implementation in their latest vehicle models.

The
six levels
of autonomous driving

But first, let’s take a step back. What is autonomous driving?

The University of Michigan Center of Sustainable Systems in the United States of America describes autonomous vehicles as those that use technology to partially or entirely replace the human driver in navigating a vehicle. As it is a long way from completely manual to completely autonomous, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has defined six levels of autonomous driving.

Level 0

No Driving Automation

The driver steers, brakes, and accelerates without any assistance. He is only supported by basic safety systems, such as electronic stability control (ESC) or an anti-blocking system (ABS).
 

Level 1

Driver Assistance

The driver remains responsible for the vehicle. However, in some situations, he is supported by assistance systems such as cruise control or lane change control.
 

Level 2

Partial Driving Automation

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) take the strain off the driver. These systems can combine distance control and lane change control, for example, so that the steering wheel can be released for a limited time.
 

Level 3

Conditional Driving Automation

This is the game-changer. From this point on, the vehicle sometimes assumes the entire task of driving. The driver no longer has to keep a constant eye on the traffic while driving, but must be able to intervene at any time.
 

Level 4

High Driving Automation

The vehicle drives completely autonomously under certain conditions. At Level 4, the driver does not have to be ready to intervene at any time. However, this is only valid for an environment that has been defined in advance, e.g., a highway or parking garage.
 

Level 5

Full Driving Automation

Autonomy Level 5 is not subject to any restrictions. The vehicle can drive autonomously anywhere, under any conditions. The human driver becomes a passenger.

 

The perks of self-driving cars

A car journey is usually just the means to an end, a way to get from A to B. It can be fun, but the fun stops by the time that you’re in a traffic jam wasting valuable time. Autonomous driving is therefore associated with several advantages.

Productivity:

You can use your travel time productively to work, play, or relax.

Accessibility:

People who were previously not able to drive a car (e.g., older persons, disabled persons, or persons with other limitations) can benefit from individual mobility.

Safety:

Most accidents are caused by human error. Autonomous systems can react quicker, do not get tired, and can assess hazards better, which leads to improved road safety.

Efficiency:

Optimized routes and speeds ensure better traffic flow and less congestion, reducing both travel time and fuel consumption.

Sustainability:

The combination of optimized driving and smoother traffic leads to lower emissions and consequently to reduced environmental pollution. Autonomous driving offers enormous potential, particularly with regard to the alarming levels of air pollution in many places.

The future remains
uncertain


Despite all the advantages of autonomous driving, there is still a need for further development.

Technological limitations:

Despite all the development, the technology still has its limitations and is fallible – especially in complex situations, when there are unknown objects on the road, or in challenging weather conditions.

Cybersecurity risks:

Networked systems and communications technology in autonomous vehicles present potential targets for cyber-attacks. In future, every system will only be as good as its underlying cyber-security.

Regulatory challenges:

The legal framework for the use of autonomous vehicles is only just emerging. Subjects such as liability, safety standards, and data protection have not yet been fully described and could pose an unforeseen challenge to manufacturers.

Costs:

Developing and implementing such systems is very expensive. The continuous maintenance and improvement of existing systems also results in high costs, which ultimately must be borne by the vehicle owner or user.

Job cuts:

Autonomous vehicles could partially or completely replace jobs such as truck driver, taxi driver, or delivery driver in the long term.

Comfort in sight

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and the increasingly autonomous systems of the future have the potential to change the way we use cars.

The AI company Allerin predicts that fewer people will own a car in the future, instead using them collectively in a large network. Like driverless taxis, the vehicles could then take you to your destination and drive on. Another vehicle from the network could then pick you up again.

Such scenarios also create new requirements for air filtration inside cars, as vehicles would then be used more intensively by more people. Cabin air filters would therefore have to be designed for continuous operation. New systems could also allow passengers to customize air quality settings based on personal preferences and health needs.

The seats in self-driving cars no longer all have to face the direction of travel, but can also face each other. Depending on the seating position, cabin air filtration also needs to be reconsidered. In the future, filtered air could come from above or from the side instead of through the dashboard, as is currently the case.

In addition, future vehicles could monitor the air filter status and signal when it is necessary to change the filter.

The journey is the reward

However fast the first properly autonomous vehicles will drive on our roads, we are already seeing the first effects of this development today: less fatalities. One thing is clear: technological progress will determine safety and sustainability in the field of mobility. And so every step forward is welcome.

Previous article Next article