Soon, a driverless car could become a reality

Computer scientists and engineers worked together to create a robotic car that can operate autonomously. Computers process information from the navigation system, laser sensors, and video cameras to recognize the road, signs, and any obstacles like cars or pedestrians. The laser sensors emit beams that reflect back from objects near the car. The car can also be operated by a human driver.

HOW IT WORKS: Various sensors on the car work together to recognize pedestrians, cars, motorcycles and other road users, with the aid of laser scanners installed on the car. The scanners emit laser beams around the car and the light is reflected back from objects in its proximity. The sensors measure how long it takes the reflecting laser beam to return to determine where nearby objects are located, as well as how far away they are. Computers process all this information collected by the navigation system, laser sensors and video cameras to produce an accurate map of the mobile and immobile objects on the road. The laser sensors’ range is 150 meters.

COMPUTERS RULE THE ROAD: Four computers process all that data as quickly as possible. The circuit boards receive all the data from the sensors and process it along with the GPS-position data. The car also has video cameras mounted on the roof to further aid in determining the position of the road markings and sidewalks. A separate computer processes the video data. Once all the data has been combined, the computer can “decide” the car’s next action.