BMW, in partnership with Intel and Mobileye, announced last week via livestream that they plan to bring a fully autonomous car to market by 2021. Which, in the wake of the first fatal semi-autonomous car crash, is big news.
First self-driving fatality
Joshua D. Brown was riding in his Tesla Model S when he was struck by a tractor trailer. Neither he, nor his Tesla’s autopilot technology saw the incoming vehicle. His death is tragic, and it points to what can happen when you introduce beta technology into the real world.
Upon activation, Tesla’s autopilot mode warns the driver to “maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle” at all times. It even has sensors to check if your hands are still on the wheel. But despite Tesla’s attempts, these warnings seem to be about as effective as anti-texting and driving messages.
Waiting for the technology
That’s part of the reason BMW, Intel, and Mobileye are shooting for 2021; the technology isn’t ready. In the next five years, the group intends to spend hundreds of millions on research and development in effort to bring a level 3 and 5 autonomous driving machine to market.
For those who aren’t familiar, Level 3 autonomous driving means that drivers will be able to turn their attention away from the wheel within known, limited environments (highways, freeways, etc.).
And Level 5 autonomous driving means the car will be in complete control. Apart from setting the destination and starting the system, no human intervention will be required.
CEO of Mobileye, Amnon Shashua, asserts that this will be possible in “geo-fenced” areas, meaning in areas that they map out and test.
Open platform
One of the more exciting announcements from the livestream is that Intel will be making their software on an open platform.
“We would like to create a standardized platform for others to join,” said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. “That standardization and that open platform is going to be critical for expanding the safety aspects of [autonomous driving].”
BMW already sells semi-autonomous vehicles, which you can see here.
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