So, how do you feel about jumping into the car with a robot driving at the wheel? Previously, this would have sounded like something coming out of the latest sci-fi movie, but now, with technology advancing at hyper speed, it is only just around the corner! The Netherlands-based company, NXP, have now announced their new computing platform that allows automakers the ability to test and develop self-driving cars called BlueBox.
BlueBox works by integrating with the cars sensors to enable self-driving features. Using advanced technology, they can link up to radar, cameras, sonar and more to create a virtual world that allows the computer to make decisions based on driving laws of the country as well as cyclists, traffic, pedestrians and other obstructions us as drivers face on a daily basis. With production cars already on offer that is semi-autonomous, featuring automatic braking and parking, the BlueBox technology is not too far fetched beyond this, so NXP’s deadline of having self-driving cars available to the public by 2020 is very achievable.
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NXP are currently only looking to market Level 4 autonomous cars by 2020. These are still classed as fully autonomous vehicles, but will require a driver present as may be necessary to take over the controls manually from time to time. But with the introduction of the Level 4 cars, Level 5 cars may be just around the corner, which are completely driver-free without even a steering wheel! With four leading auto manufacturers already testing the BlueBox more are sure to join in and soon our world in the future could look very different.