Technology in our Cars

Technological advancements in the automotive industry have historically been focused on either the performance or the safety of the car. In general, tasks that the driver would normally perform have been left to the driver. Several groups, including a group of Stanford graduate students, are looking to change that. The Stanford group of students is making a car that can drive itself. Although many other groups have succeeded at this before, their cars were not able to navigate complex courses at any substantial speed. In contrast, the Stanford group is looking at making their Audi TTS autonomously navigate Pikes Peak at near race speeds. Racing Pikes Peak is no simple task. Pikes Peak is a complex race course that challenges even the best professional race car drivers. If their car succeeds to drive such a complex course with no driver, what else will their car be able to do in the future? The future of how we transport ourselves could change dramatically.