Self-driving car
Also known as an autonomous vehicle (AV or auto), driverless car (driverless, driverless vehicle), or robotic car (robo-car)
- Snippet from Wikipedia: Self-driving car
A self-driving car, also known as an autonomous car, driverless car, robotic car, or robo-car, is a car that is capable of operating with reduced or no human input. They are sometimes called robotaxis, though this term refers specifically to self-driving cars operated for a ridesharing company. As of 2026, the term "self-driving" lacks an agreed standard definition and is also subject to commercial advertising and branding considerations.
In 2020, Waymo was the first to offer rides in driverless taxis in the operational design domain (ODD) of limited geographic areas, but as of late 2025, no system has achieved full autonomy in all domains - sometimes referred to as "Level 5" on a scale of 0 to 5 levels of automation defined by the global standards organization SAE International, or simply "no driver" as given by the classification system proposed by Mobileye in the US.
Following a history of experimentation and development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after World War II, two main technologies are now primarily used: LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and visual sensors (cameras) which capture images and video like human eyes. These are combined with systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS), neural networks, artificial intelligence, and established ADAS engineering to deliver levels of driving autonomy.
The primary obstacle to self-driving is the advanced software and mapping required to make them work safely across the wide variety of conditions that drivers experience. However, the software is not yet advanced enough to handle all circumstances and has caused accidents and deaths. Other issues include security of over-the-air updates, legal and regulatory issues, ethics, and consumer confidence. Methods of testing and monitoring the reliability of cars have evolved in parallel with deployment, with various standards being proposed. Implications for urban infrastructure and the economy have also been discussed.
Public perception and acceptance of autonomous cars has been mixed. A survey in 2022 found only 27% of the world's population would feel safe in one. Public acceptance is also influenced by "self-AV bias", where drivers judge identical autonomous vehicle driving much more harshly than human.