It’s hard to believe that since we posted this article a little over a year ago, there has been such a high level of advancement and change throughout the automotive industry. Tesla, which seemed to be at the forefront of the self-driving vehicle industry is now sharing the spotlight with car manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Volvo, which have taken strides into the future of automotives and even public transportation.
According to Ars Technica, companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and GM are leading the way in autonomous vehicle solutions by collaborating in a time when it’s a necessity for car manufacturers and software developers to team up and shape the future of transportation. For example, as far as autonomous public transportation goes, Lyft has teamed up with Ford to pave the way to the future of autonomous ride-hailing and sharing. Ford has intentions to build and deliver new innovations in commercial transportation with specific concentration on delivery services and ride-hailing patrons. Another example is GM. Since its acquisition in 2016 of Cruise, a San Francisco based autonomous vehicle developer, they have been working toward creating fleets of driverless vehicles. By the end of 2019, GM is expected to release its very own autonomous taxi-service, utilizing its proprietary, electric-powered Chevrolet Bolt.
But what about the experience and security behind these future driverless services?
In our previous article, “Connected Cars: Digital Keys in the Autonomous Era” we addressed the need for additional technology that will enhance the user experience as well as enable monetary benefits for consumers. In addition to automotive and AV software companies like Waymo, Ford, and GM, there will also be more unexpected companies like Facebook coming in to provide consumers with entertainment. The social media company has entered the automotive scene by sponsoring an initiative called “the new mobility world” which is meant to unite “carmakers, tech companies, and startups in areas such as autonomous driving and electric cars”. As we approach the more pivotal years for connected and autonomous cars, more tech companies like Facebook and their technology will bleed into the auto industry to offer AV consumers unique, in-car experiences.
Meanwhile, access control software developers will also make their way into the industry as someone or something will have to securely authorize, lock and unlock driverless ride-sharing vehicles. Moreover, once these vehicles have become the conventional means of transportation, car rental companies will also need a way for their customers to be authenticated and granted access to their cars. What’s more, autonomous delivery services will also be in need of a sophisticated credential to confidently authorize and authenticate the transfer of goods to consumers.
Altogether, there’s still a lot to be done until we see and experience driverless cars that are comparable to the ones in our favorite Sci-Fi movies. However, with all the collaborations, initiatives, and advancements in vehicle technology, the future of transportation looks promising and incredibly convenient.
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