Periodically, car manufacturers announce semi-autonomous driving systems for some of their new models, starting with the higher-priced models, and offer it as an "option" that can bring comfort and safety to the driver, but what all Manufacturers emphasize that what they offer is only an aid, and that the driver must remain very attentive to what is happening on the road, to take charge of driving if necessary.

I have seen a few models depending on the manufacturers that offer it, and they are all more or less similar. All systems use a combination of cameras, radar and sensors to keep the car centered on the road, and at the speed you have programmed for it.

Most of these systems offer this "help" on some highways in North America and Canada (and other manufacturers offer it on some highways in other countries), but not on all highways and certainly not in cities. It is still a rather partial offer, which only works on certain routes and with certain limitations (speed, etc...). But it must be recognized that it can be helpful, and that over time it will be expanded and improved.

These are some of the systems I have found:

  • General Motors Super Cruise
  • Ford Blue Cruise
  • Tesla Full Self Driving
  • Nissan Pro Pilot Assist 2.0
  • Mercedes Drive Pilot
  • BMW Highway Assistant
  • Highway Driving Assist  de  Hyunday  y  KIA
  • Volvo Traffic Jam Assist

And I suppose there will be some other system, but they are all quite similar and it is important to note that none of them offer a fully autonomous service, instead the driver must be attentive on the road to take control of the steering wheel in case of need.

I doubt that car manufacturers will ever offer a fully autonomous driving system, since there is the "problem" of liability in the event of an accident.

If a car manufacturer offered a fully autonomous system and an accident occurs, who would be "responsible" for it? The driver or the manufacturer of the autonomous system ? And that responsibility also supposes an important economic responsibility that they will not want to assume.

That's why I think, that they will offer Level 3 driving systems in which the driver is responsible, and these systems will improve over time, and also they will become cheaper and be included in cars of cheaper levels.

And Levels 4 and 5 of fully autonomous driving will remain for companies that offer autonomous taxi services in large cities, such as Waymo and others.

By Amador Palacios

Reflections of Amador Palacios on topics of Social and Technological News; other opinions different from mine are welcome

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