Introduction
Australia and New Zealand have just witnessed a groundbreaking shift in the automotive world. At midnight on Thursday (Sep 18th), Tesla launched its controversial Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology across Australia and New Zealand, the first right-hand drive markets in the world to access the highly anticipated technology. With the global self-driving car market projected to grow from 37,090 thousand units in 2024 to 76,217 thousand units by 2035, this shift is set to change the way we view transportation.
For many, driving can be stressful, with a large portion of people suffering from driving-related anxiety. The idea of self-driving cars offers relief, so people can relax during long commutes instead of navigating traffic. While fully automated vehicles (Level 5) are not yet available for general purchase, many automakers have introduced advanced driver assistance systems (Level 2 and Level 3) that allow limited autonomous driving. However, questions around the safety and reliability of these vehicles are still being debated. To stay informed and gain insights into these developments, make sure to follow this blog by SotaTek ANZ.
What are Self-driving Cars?
Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles (AVs) or driverless cars, are vehicles equipped with technology that allows them to travel without human intervention. These vehicles rely on a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate the roads, detect obstacles, and make decisions during travel. To be classified as fully autonomous, they are cars that drive themself, and must be able to drive to a predetermined destination without human assistance, even on roads that are not specifically adapted for autonomous use.
Market size of Self-driving Cars
Self-driving cars have the potential to transform the future of transportation. They could help reduce traffic congestion, lower accident rates, and enable services such as self-driving taxis and ride-hailing. For instance, companies like Waymo (an Alphabet company) are already testing autonomous taxis in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, and in China, Baidu’s Apollo Go operates more than 400 autonomous vehicles. This shift is already becoming a reality, with self-driving cars not just limited to science fiction, but slowly making their way into everyday use.
What are the Levels of Autonomy in Self-Driving Cars?
With the advent of self-driving cars, all vehicles now exist on a five-level scale, defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). These levels range from no automation (Level 0) to full automation (Level 5). Here’s a breakdown of each level:
- Level 0 (L0): No Automation
At this level, the vehicle has no automated driving features. All tasks, including steering, braking, and accelerating, are completely controlled by the driver.
- Level 1 (L1): Driver Assistance
Level 1 vehicles include basic driver assistance features like cruise control. These systems offer some automation, but the driver must still actively monitor the road and take full control of the vehicle when needed.
Example: Toyota's Adaptive Cruise Control.
- Level 2 (L2): Partial Automation
Vehicles at this level can assist with steering, acceleration, and braking. However, the driver is still required to supervise the vehicle and be ready to take over if necessary.
Example: Tesla’s Autopilot offers partial automation by controlling steering and speed, but drivers must remain alert and ready to intervene.
- Level 3 (L3): Conditional Automation
At Level 3, vehicles can operate autonomously in certain conditions, such as traffic jams. However, the driver must be ready to intervene when prompted. This is the highest level of automation available to consumers today.
Example: Audi’s Traffic Jam Pilot allows the vehicle to drive itself in traffic under certain conditions, but the driver must take over when needed.
- Level 4 (L4): High Automation
Level 4 vehicles can operate autonomously without human intervention in specific environments, such as geofenced urban areas. These vehicles can perform all driving tasks but may require human control in other conditions.
Example: Waymo and Baidu Apollo are testing driverless taxis that operate autonomously in specific locations.
- Level 5 (L5): Full Automation
Level 5 vehicles are fully autonomous, meaning they can drive in any environment and under all conditions without the need for human input. These are the future of autonomous driving.
Tesla’s Self-Driving Technology in Australia and New Zealand
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology has officially launched in both Australia and New Zealand, marking a significant milestone with the introduction of a right-hand drive version for the first time globally. Although fully autonomous vehicles, with no driver behind the wheel, have been seen in other countries, Tesla's system is not fully autonomous. Instead, it is designed to assist drivers by managing the most stressful parts of driving, similar to cruise control but with much more advanced capabilities.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology has officially launched in both Australia and New Zealand,
Tesla FSD offers a supervised driving mode, meaning it requires a fully attentive driver at all times. The system helps with tasks such as lane changes, navigating curves, and even reacting to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. It uses cameras with 360-degree visibility and operates based on a vast dataset from real-world driving, contributing to its efficiency in various driving conditions.
However, the driver’s responsibility remains paramount, as the system cannot fully operate autonomously. The car continuously monitors the driver’s attentiveness through cabin cameras, and if the system detects the driver’s lack of engagement, it will prompt them to intervene. If the driver ignores these prompts, the system will disable the supervised self-drive and provide escalating warnings until the driver resumes control.
This feature is available as a $159 NZD per month subscription for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y owners, offering a glimpse into the future of semi-autonomous driving while still prioritizing driver responsibility.
The Technology behind Self-driving Cars
Sensors and Cameras
At the core of every autonomous vehicle are sensors and cameras, which are essential for understanding and interpreting the car’s environment. Equipped with a variety of sensors, including radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and ultrasonic sensors, autonomous cars can detect objects around them and create an accurate map of their surroundings. By working together, these sensors allow the vehicle to react to obstacles in real-time, ensuring safe navigation.
Cameras enhance this process by providing visual data, helping the car recognize pedestrians, other vehicles, traffic signs, and more. The visual information is processed using computer vision algorithms to identify and track objects. With continuous data collection and real-time analysis, the car’s onboard system uses complex algorithms to combine sensor inputs, allowing it to build a detailed and precise understanding of its environment, even in challenging situations.
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
AI & Machine Learning are crucial for the operation of autonomous vehicles. These technologies enable the driverless cars to process and analyze large amounts of data from sensors and cameras. As a result, they can recognize objects, predict behaviors, and make decisions.
Machine learning algorithms are trained on large datasets that simulate various driving scenarios, including different weather conditions, road types, and traffic patterns. Over time, the vehicle learns from this data, refining its ability to handle complex situations. AI technology enhances this process by analyzing the environment, identifying potential hazards, and determining the safest course of action, allowing the vehicle to adapt and make quick decisions to prioritize safety.
Read more: Top AI trends in Australia 2025
GPS and Mapping Systems
Autonomous vehicles rely on GPS and high-precision mapping systems to navigate efficiently and accurately. GPS technology helps pinpoint the car's position by receiving satellite signals, while other sensors like speed and direction data continuously track the vehicle's movement. These systems work together to adjust the vehicle’s route in real-time.
The mapping systems provide detailed road layouts, including lane markings, speed limits, traffic signs, and obstacles. This allows the car to anticipate upcoming turns, intersections, and potential hazards, ensuring smooth navigation, even in complex environments. By combining GPS data with high-definition maps, the vehicle can plan its route and navigate unfamiliar areas with ease.
The technology behind self-driving cars
The Debate: Innovation or a Dangerous Gamble?
The rise of autonomous vehicles has sparked a heated debate: is self-driving technology an innovative breakthrough that will revolutionize transportation, or is it a dangerous gamble that could put lives at risk? While many see the potential for autonomous cars to enhance safety, efficiency, and convenience, others remain deeply concerned about the risks these technologies may pose.
On the one hand, proponents argue that autonomous cars can significantly reduce the number of road accidents. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1.3 million people die each year in road accidents, and the majority of these accidents are caused by human error. By removing human drivers from the equation, self-driving cars could theoretically minimize distractions, impaired driving, and fatigue. In fact, the technology behind autonomous vehicles is designed to continuously monitor the environment, making decisions based on data from sensors and AI algorithms, which can react faster than a human could in many cases.
Furthermore, autonomous vehicles have the potential to ease traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions. With smart systems that optimize speed and navigation, autonomous cars can communicate with each other and create a more synchronized flow of traffic. This could lead to shorter travel times and lower fuel consumption. As electric autonomous vehicles become more common, the environmental benefits could also further improve.
However, despite the promise of these advancements, there are several concerns about the safety and practicality of self-driving cars. One of the most significant challenges is the technology's ability to handle complex and unpredictable road situations. While autonomous cars excel in controlled environments such as highways, they may struggle with more chaotic and unpredictable urban settings, such as navigating through pedestrians, cyclists, or inclement weather conditions.
The issue of trust also plays a central role in the debate. Many people are hesitant to put their lives in the hands of a machine, especially when it comes to critical decisions on the road. High-profile incidents, such as the Tesla autopilot crashes, have raised concerns about the reliability and safety of the technology. While these incidents have sparked investigations, the question remains: can we truly trust machines with our safety on the road?
Moreover, there are questions about regulation and ethics of autonomous vehicles. Who is responsible if an autonomous car causes an accident? If an AI system must choose between saving the driver or a pedestrian, who decides which life is more important? These ethical dilemmas are still unresolved and could complicate the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the potential benefits of self-driving cars are undeniable, the risks associated with their deployment are equally significant. The debate between innovation and caution continues to evolve as the technology advances, and it will be crucial to ensure that rigorous testing, clear regulations, and ethical frameworks are in place before autonomous vehicles become a common sight on the roads. Whether we see autonomous vehicles as a groundbreaking advancement or a dangerous gamble may ultimately depend on how these challenges are addressed in the coming years.
