In the not-so-distant past, self-driving cars, also known as autonomous or driverless cars, resided solely within the realm of science fiction.

However, reality paints a different picture: researchers have been experimenting with them since the 1920s.

As we move toward an exciting future, the prospect of no longer being drivers but passengers looms large. Envision a scenario where dropping your child off at soccer practice doesn't entail getting behind the wheel yourself; instead, you can relax knowing a self-driving car will safely transport them to the playing field. Consider a world where car ownership becomes a thing of the past, and individuals simply summon a vehicle when needed.

The emergence of driverless technology opens up a realm of possibilities, yet it also presents significant challenges that must be overcome to materialize the dream of fully autonomous vehicles. For a car to navigate its surroundings effectively, it must possess the ability to "see," "hear," "understand," "talk," and "think."

Achieving this level of functionality requires advanced artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning models capable of collecting, structuring, and comprehending large volumes of data from various sensors, including video, images, audio, text, and LIDAR. Many of these models rely on deep learning networks, often referred to as neural networks, which are complex mathematical systems capable of learning tasks through the analysis of extensive datasets. Despite the technical complexity of neural networks, their applications are increasingly prevalent in everyday life. You may already interact with them regularly, as they power facial recognition technology on social media platforms, interpret voice commands on smartphones, and facilitate language translation services online.

The same technology driving these innovations is also fueling the development of self-driving vehicles. However, one of the most formidable challenges facing autonomous driving is the sheer volume of data generated by sensors and the subsequent decision-making process. Training neural networks to interpret this data and make appropriate decisions requires extensive computational power and large datasets.

Dr. David Mueller, our Chief Strategist for High-Performance Materials, elucidates this challenge by drawing a parallel with human cognition. "If you show a child a picture of a cat, they will recognize another cat without conscious effort," he explains. "However, an AI system requires exposure to millions of cat images to reliably identify feline features." The intuitive decision-making process humans employ while driving—reacting to sudden lane changes or unexpected obstacles—is rooted in years of experience and subconscious intuition. Replicating this capability in driverless cars necessitates vast amounts of data and sophisticated algorithms.

Mueller emphasizes the role of heuristics, or "rules of thumb," in human decision-making, noting their efficiency and speed. "Our brains can make rational decisions even in the absence of complete information, relying on subconscious intuition to guide us," he remarks. Teaching autonomous vehicles to adapt and make decisions in novel situations without prior training is paramount to their success.

The journey toward fully autonomous vehicles is fraught with challenges, but the potential benefits are undeniable. By leveraging advancements in AI and machine learning, researchers are edging closer to realizing the vision of driverless transportation. However, the road ahead is marked by technical hurdles that demand innovative solutions and collaborative efforts.

As we navigate this uncharted territory, it's essential to balance technological progress with ethical considerations and safety concerns, ensuring that the future of mobility is not only efficient but also equitable and sustainable.