Self-driving cars, an idea that not too long ago seemed like part of the distant future, are quickly becoming more and more of a reality. Huge companies including Tesla, Apple, and Google along with famous car brands like Mercedes Benz and BMW are developing their own autonomous cars. Companies like Uber are planning on using self-driving cars soon, and in a society where we can be picked up in minutes through just a tap on our phone, this seems like the logical next step. Some people predict that one day every car will be self-driving, and others say that this will be only a fad and we will continue to prefer to drive our own cars. Regardless, it is important to be educated on self-driving cars, especially since Florida is one of the few states to have legalized then.
Autonomous cars have been a concept for almost a hundred years now. First appearing in science fiction novels in the 1930s, driverless cars were developed 20 years later to run on a metal track. This technology did not become popular when it was developed, and was deemed impractical. Since then, our computer technology has improved immensely, paving the way for companies to develop actual “smart” cars in recent years. Many companies have stated that they plan on having self-driving cars mass-produced within the next couple years; Business Insider predicted that 10 million driverless cars will be on the road by 2020.
Some companies’ autonomous car programs have been involved in various controversies. A Tesla self-driving car crashed into a semi truck in May earlier this year, prompting the company to update the radar technology in its cars. Apple’s self-driving car project (code-named Titan) has been shrouded in secrecy, and recently went through internal changes in an effort to improve Titan. Despite these setbacks, technology is continuously advancing to make autonomous cars safer and more efficient.
No matter what our personal opinions on self-driving cars are, they could become more prominent in society in the near future. Autonomous or not, we are prepared to take care of all of all your car needs at Cassels Garage. We have you covered for brake checks, oil changes, and any other automotive repairs your vehicle may need. We have been proudly serving Brevard County for fifty years and will continue to do so.
