Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles, which are vehicles capable of moving on their own, have been at the forefront of technological advancements in recent years. These vehicles have the ability to travel without driver intervention and have the potential to revolutionize daily transportation and fundamentally change the transportation sector. 

What Are Autonomous Vehicles?  

Autonomous vehicles are vehicles that can perceive their environment and move based on this information using sensors, artificial intelligence, GPS, and other advanced technologies. These vehicles can travel safely from one point to another without human intervention. 

The development of autonomous vehicles dates back to the mid-20th century. Initially developed for military purposes, this technology eventually extended to civilian applications. In the early 2000s, significant progress was made under the leadership of companies like Google and Tesla, and the first prototypes were introduced to the public in the 2010s. 

How Autonomous Vehicles Work  

Autonomous vehicles are complex systems capable of perceiving, analyzing, and making decisions on their own without driver intervention. These vehicles are equipped with a series of technologies and components. Here is a more detailed explanation of how autonomous vehicles work: 

1-) Sensors 

Autonomous vehicles use a variety of sensors to perceive their environment. These sensors detect objects, pedestrians, other vehicles, and road conditions around the vehicle. The main sensors used are: 

Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) 

Radar systems send out radio waves to measure the distance, speed, and direction of objects in the surroundings. It is particularly used to detect objects in front of and behind the vehicle. 

Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) 

Lidar sends out laser beams to create a 3D map of the vehicle's surroundings. This map precisely determines the size, shape, and distance of objects around the vehicle. 

Cameras 

High-resolution cameras in autonomous vehicles detect colors, lighting conditions, and road signs in the environment. Cameras play a critical role in recognizing road lanes, traffic lights, and pedestrians. 

Ultrasonic Sensors 

These sensors detect obstacles that are very close to the vehicle. They are especially used during parking and low-speed maneuvers. 

2-) Positioning Systems 

Autonomous vehicles need to know exactly where they are. For this purpose, the global positioning system (GPS) is used. However, GPS signals may sometimes be insufficient, so autonomous vehicles generally work with other positioning systems as well. For example: 

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) 

The IMU measures the vehicle's acceleration, speed, and direction. It works together with the GPS to accurately determine the vehicle's position. 

Mapping and Geofencing 

Autonomous vehicles understand their surroundings using high-resolution maps and make comparisons with these maps. Geofencing ensures that vehicles stay within a certain area. 

3-) Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms 

Artificial intelligence systems, which can be considered the brain of autonomous vehicles, process and interpret the data from sensors. These systems use machine learning and deep learning algorithms to continuously learn and make decisions. Their main functions include: 

Object Recognition 

Artificial intelligence processes the data from cameras and other sensors to recognize objects on the road. For example, it can distinguish pedestrians, other vehicles, bicycles, and traffic signs. 

Decision Making 

Algorithms analyze the data from sensors to make instant decisions. For example, if a pedestrian begins to cross the road, the vehicle stops or slows down. 

Route Planning 

Artificial intelligence determines the most suitable route and follows this route. This planning takes into account traffic, road conditions, and the destination. 

4-) Actuators 

Actuators are mechanisms that control the movement of the autonomous vehicle. These components receive commands from artificial intelligence systems and direct the vehicle. The main actuators are: 

Steering System 

Determines the direction of the vehicle. 

Gas Pedal 

Controls the speed of the vehicle. 

Braking System 

Ensures the vehicle stops or slows down. 

5-) In-Vehicle Communication and Connectivity 

Autonomous vehicles do not only rely on their own sensors and artificial intelligence systems, but also communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure. This communication is enabled by V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) and V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure) technologies. This way, vehicles can warn each other, share traffic information, and synchronize with traffic lights.