An autonomous vehicle, also known as a driverless or self-driving car, works by sensing its environment, allowing it to navigate without human input. Self-driving cars use systems like GPS and computer vision to navigate, as well as sensors that can detect things like traffic light colours. Many brands are joining the race to create the most innovative autonomous vehicles on the market today.

Check out the top brands that are creating the self-driving vehicles of the future:

1. Voyage
Voyage’s autonomous vehicles are officially the first to operate in an enclosed retirement community. For this project, the company has partnered with A Place For Mom, a nationwide senior living directory service. It currently operates fleets of Chrysler Pacifica minivans on public roads throughout San Jose, California. This is one innovation that seniors can get excited about!

2. Pony.ai
This company is based in Silicon Valley, and it has already raised over $214 million to develop its vehicles. Its first product, PonyDrive, is a fully autonomous driving system that uses deep-learning technology, allowing its vehicles to reach Level Four autonomy, the highest on the scale. Pony.ai’s software includes features such as high-definition mapping, object detection of other cars and humans, and an AI system that makes real-time driving decisions. Its autonomous vehicles include NIO EVE, a Level Four self-driving car, and the NIO ES300h, a semi-autonomous car. In 2019, the company launched its first fleet of autonomous taxis.

3. Volvo
Volvo’s autonomous innovations include the Drive Me project, a joint effort between Volvo and the Swedish government to create 100 self-driving cars. These vehicles will operate in Gothenburg and London’s Greenwich area, where they’ll be used to research how autonomous vehicles can improve safety and reduce congestion. The company is also developing its semi-autonomous system called IntelliSafe Autopilot. It can help drivers stay in their lanes, adjust speed based on traffic conditions, park autonomously and brake automatically if an accident occurs! Volvo’s XC40 model offers all of these features.

4. Tesla
Tesla’s Model S is the car that has it all! This full-sized electric vehicle comes with a speed of up to 155 mph, an autopilot system, and autonomous self-parking. The autopilot feature means that drivers can let their cars control steering, acceleration, and braking (under certain circumstances), making long commutes less difficult! Tesla’s Model X has a powerful 90-kilowatt battery pack, allowing for 240 miles of travel per charge. This vehicle also includes Falcon Wing doors, allowing passengers easy access to the second-row seats.

5. Waymo
Formerly known as Google’s self-driving car project, Waymo has been at the forefront of autonomous vehicle development since 2009. With over 2000 hours behind the wheel and more than two million miles driven in simulation by their fleet of 42 vehicles, this is one company that takes safety seriously! The Firefly is one example of its autonomous vehicles, a prototype car designed for public roads. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan is another example of Waymo’s innovation, a vehicle that started operating in Arizona in 2018. Waymo also works in collaboration, and partnered with Jaguar Land Rover to create the Jaguar I-Pace, an all-electric SUV.