The author believes that in another 20 to 30 years, everyone will have the opportunity to drive without washing their cars, because autonomous driving technology is developing rapidly. The United States has Tesla and ROBOT AXI, and mainland China has Cargo. It seems that this will soon change human habits. When do you think everyone will drive themselves?

Future mobility trends: autonomous driving technology and the transformation of the automotive industry

1. Current Development Status of Autonomous Driving Technology

Autonomous driving is one of the most disruptive innovations in the automotive industry. From the earliest driver assistance systems to today's fully autonomous driving, the technology has gradually matured. According to the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards, autonomous driving is divided into levels 0 to 5:

• Level 0 : Fully human-driven
• Level 1 : Single assistance (such as cruise control)
• Level 2 : Multi-function assistance (such as Tesla Autopilot)
• Level 3 : Limited autonomous driving (no driver intervention required in specific situations, such as Honda Sensing Elite)
• Level 4 : Highly automated driving (fully unmanned driving in specific areas)
• Level 5 : Fully automated driving (no human involvement required at all times and in all areas, currently still in the research and development stage)

Currently, most mass-produced models are between Level 2 and 3.

---

2. Introduction to core technology

1. Sensor Fusion

• Camera : Identify lanes, signs, pedestrians.
• Radar : Detects the distance and speed of vehicles in front and behind.
• Lidar : 3D modeling environment, precise distance measurement and obstacle identification.
• Ultrasonic sensor : used for low-speed parking assistance.

2. AI and Big Data

• Use deep learning to judge road conditions, identify objects, and make decisions.
• Real-time information exchange between vehicles (V2V) and vehicles and infrastructure (V2I).

3. High-precision maps and positioning

• Accurate map data combined with GPS ensures that the vehicle can navigate safely in complex road conditions.

---

3. Autonomous driving’s impact on the automotive industry

1. Business model transformation

• Shared mobility (Mobility as a Service, MaaS) : Self-driving taxis (Robotaxi) become a new business opportunity.
• Cars are transforming from "products" to "services": on-demand and subscription-based.

2. Changes in vehicle design

• The traditional steering wheel, accelerator, brake and other designs have been eliminated, and the interior is more like a living room or office.
• Electrification and automation are progressing simultaneously, and in-car entertainment and Internet services are on the rise.

3. The rise of new players

• Technology companies (such as Google Waymo, Apple, and Baidu) and startups are challenging traditional car manufacturers.
• Suppliers of hardware, software, AI, and sensors have become the core of the industry chain.

4. Industrial chain restructuring

• Software and OTA (over-the-air update) capabilities have become key to automotive competitiveness.
• Information security and data privacy have become new focuses.

---

IV. Challenges

1. Technology maturity : safety and stability in different weather conditions and complex road conditions.
2. Regulation and ethics : autonomous driving responsibility, data protection, and ethical decision-making (such as emergency response).
3. Consumer acceptance : public trust in and changing habits of autonomous driving.
4. Infrastructure : popularization of smart traffic signals and 5G communication networks.

---

V. Future Outlook

• 2025-2030 : Level 3-4 autonomous driving will be popularized in some cities and on certain roads. Robotaxi and logistics unmanned vehicles will be commercialized first.
• After 2030 : Level 5 fully autonomous driving will be gradually implemented, the automotive industry will be integrated with smart cities, the personal car ownership rate is expected to decline, and mobile services will become mainstream.

---

VI. Conclusion

Autonomous driving technology is driving a comprehensive transformation of the automotive industry, redefining everything from products and services to the industrial ecosystem. In the future, mobility will not only be about "driving", but also about "being driven by the car". Are you ready for this revolution?