The future may be closer than we think. Self-driving cars are being tested by a number of different manufacturers from Toyota to Google and more. Driverless cars may eventually reduce or replace the need for human input on the road altogether. But how do self-driving cars work?
How do Self-Driving Cars Work?
The technology that goes into self-driving cars have a lot to take into consideration from traffic lights, signs, pedestrians, traffic, and more.
It can be easy to think that autonomous vehicles are controlled by an omnipotent, remote control center somewhere and that there are rules upon rules about how cars should act in every conceivable scenario.
The reality is that each car has an individual control system that relies on a combination of GPS, radar, lasers, and cameras to judge what’s around it. This includes pedestrians, obstacles, obstructions, other cars, and any other scenario that might crop up on the road.
Driverless vehicles largely use lidar, a term short for ‘light detection and ranging’, to “see” what’s around them. Lidar is a system that produces a 3D image of everything surrounding the car in real-time. The vehicle’s onboard control system then interprets these findings in conjunction with cameras, radars, GPS tracking, as well as deliberative architecture to respond to situations as they unfold.
Deliberative architecture is the technology capable of making decisions by combining the 3D map that is constantly generated by lidar and cameras and using that information to navigate among other cars, avoid obstacles and pedestrians, and even find shortcuts around traffic delays.
Driverless cars have what are known as ‘actuators’ to control things like acceleration, braking, and steering. Just like a person reacts when someone swerves into their lane, self-driving cars receive a signal from the onboard computer to either move or apply the brakes based on what’s around it.
At this time, fully roboticized cars do not exist. As the technology continues to develop and improve, driverless cars will continue to have steering wheels, brakes, and a manual override, as well as seatbelts for passengers. These are known as ‘redundant systems’ and allow passengers to regain control of the vehicle in the event of a situation that the car cannot interpret.
Still a Long Way to Go Before Self-Driving Cars are a Regular Feature on the Road
Eventually, the detection systems on driverless cars will be more accurate than human interpretation. Radars and lidar will be able to ‘see’ in conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, or night. With current technology, cars are still limited by distance. Toyota is aiming to test self-driving cars on the road as early as 2020.
There are lots of benefits to consider when it comes to self-driving cars. They have the potential to:
- Reduce road deaths
- Reduce fuel consumption
- Improve the mobility of elderly or disabled people
- Free up time for the morning commute
Many advances need to be made before autonomous cars can adapt to all scenarios, and it will likely be a long time before these vehicles become a regular feature on the road.
Now that you know how self-driving cars work, you can share your newfound knowledge about this exciting new technology with friends and family.
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If you don’t have an owner’s manual, you can always find the specifications at your auto parts store. You will need to know the following information:
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You may know the Toyota Prius, which is the car that started the hybrid vehicles revolution, but you probably don’t have a clue about the 
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Unfortunately, some people face the problem of lost car keys and absolutely no spare of any kind, so they can’t use the vehicle until they pay for a new key. The simple fact is it can take some time to have a new key made, plus cost a fair amount of money. Getting a key quickly can ratchet up the price significantly, especially at night, on a weekend, or during a major holiday, so if you can hold out there’s a definite reward.
There are some ways to save on the cost of getting a new Toyota key. Multiple websites exist that will allow you to order a key at a fraction of the cost you would pay to go through a dealer. The catch is you’ll have to wait for the key to ship, so if you don’t have a spare, it’s not really the best route to go. If you get a fob or proximity key this way, you still have to go to a dealer, service shop or locksmith to have it programmed, so you won’t save money on that cost. It’s a security measure to have all Toyota owners have their fobs and proximity keys programmed at dealers, certified shops and locksmiths after proving ownership of the vehicle.
One of the first questions is whether you should get a new or used vehicle? There are special things to consider when buying a used car versus one that’s brand new, so this is a critical point. While it’s nice to have a new car with zero wear on it, the cost might be more than you want or can afford to take on. It’s a good idea to get prequalified for financing, since it gives you a clear picture of what you can afford.
Too many times, even experienced shoppers forget to ask about the costs of ownership. Apart from monthly payments, you need to figure out how much you’ll be spending in gas each week. Contact your insurance carrier to learn what premiums will run, because they can go up or down depending on specific models.
How many people will be riding in the Toyota? If you need to regularly transport seven people, opting for a sedan like a Camry simply won’t be a wise choice. Alternatively, if only one or two people will ride in the car, you don’t necessarily need to be looking at something as large as a Sequoia.
An even bigger deal is the mechanical differences, especially when it comes to engines. The funny thing is there’s little difference, if any at all, in Lexus vs Toyota reliability. Both brands are safe bets if you want to own something that will last a long time without needing repairs constantly. This fact alone is one of the big draws to either option. The reliability for both brands is partly because certain engines are used in Toyota and Lexus models. The Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES are powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which is also used in the Highlander, Camry and Lexus RX. The 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain is the exact same as well.
Plenty of people choose to purchase a Lexus and never have any real complaints. They’re highly reliable and are packed with incredible luxuries like soft leather upholstery, seat heaters/ventilation, and wood inlays, to name a few. Lexus has a tremendous reputation for making cars that run smoothly, and interiors that are supremely quiet.
Toyotas are popular for some pretty compelling reasons. Reliability is obviously one, and so is great value retention. Toyotas are plentiful, so you can usually find just the right one without too much hassle. Because they’re popular, it isn’t difficult to find parts, servicing or aftermarket add-ons.
When it first debuted in 1993, the Tundra was called the Toyota T100. It wasn’t until 2000 that the Tundra name was applied to the pickup. Because of the name switch, the truck is technically in its third production generation.
The comfort doesn’t stop there. Thanks to the longer wheelbase Toyota uses for the Tundra versus its competitors, the truck takes rough roads and trails with ease. Drivers and passengers will barely feel potholes, speed bumps and rocks as they roll right over them. Add to that the smooth-operating 5.7-liter V-8 engine, which doesn’t make all kinds of unnecessary noise, and you have a pickup that’s more than livable on a daily basis.
In case you aren’t aware of the history of the Camry, here’s a brief overview. The car originally was launched as the Celica Camry in 1979. It wasn’t a runaway hit overnight, but started to pick up serious momentum in the mid-80s.
No matter how reliable any car, sooner or later you’ll have to replace parts. The timing belt, brakes, tires, light bulbs, hoses, etc. must be swapped out regularly. Other components such as the alternator or water pump can also eventually wear out.
The hybrid that kicked off a revolution is a tremendous vehicle for families. The US EPA estimates the 2016 model gets up to 58 mpg in the city, so you don’t have to stop at the pump nearly as often. That translates into savings every day, something every family certainly can benefit from.
Sometimes you need a truck without all of the usual headaches that come from owning one. The Toyota Tacoma was built for families who are active, which is why a GoPro mount is included on the windshield. Instead of being large and unruly, you’ll find that maneuvering the Tacoma is easy. The backseat is comfortable and large enough to fit child seats without any hassle.
Minivans are incredibly practical for families, and the Toyota Sienna is a low-maintenance way to have one. Not only does it include a large interior with room to fit adults on all three rows, it’s loaded with clever storage areas as well. An optional system uses a microphone to project the driver’s voice through the rear speakers, making it unnecessary to yell to have conversations with anyone sitting on the third row.
