Self-Driving Cars: Are We Ready to Ride?

By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | May 7, 2025

Self-driving cars, once the stuff of science fiction, are quickly becoming reality. These autonomous vehicles, powered by artificial intelligence, cameras, and sensors, are designed to navigate roads with little to no human input. The goal? Safer roads, greater mobility, and more efficient transportation systems.

The concept isn’t entirely new. As early as the 1980s, researchers in Germany developed early autonomous systems. However, it wasn’t until Google launched its self-driving project (now called Waymo) in 2009 that the industry accelerated. Since then, major players like Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, GM’s Cruise, and Apple’s mysterious Project Titan have pushed the technology forward.

Self-driving cars are already operating in select cities in the U.S. — including Phoenix, San Francisco, and Austin — where ride-hailing services like Waymo and Cruise offer fully autonomous trips. In Germany and Japan, luxury brands such as Mercedes and Toyota are testing Level 3 autonomy, where a car can drive itself under specific conditions.

But what about insurance? That’s evolving too. Companies are developing policies that focus on product liability rather than driver error, with manufacturers potentially responsible in certain cases. Governments and insurers are still defining the legal framework, ensuring safety remains the top priority.

In Vancouver, self-driving car technology hasn’t fully launched — yet. However, with British Columbia’s commitment to clean tech and smart infrastructure, experts suggest we could see autonomous shuttles and test zones within 3 to 5 years.

Self-driving cars could help seniors stay mobile, reduce accidents, and even cut emissions when combined with electric vehicle tech. For cities like Vancouver, it opens the door to smarter urban design, better traffic flow, and equitable access to transport.

As the road ahead becomes clearer, one thing is certain: the future of driving may not involve driving at all.

#Self Driving Cars #Autonomous Vehicles #Future Of Transport #Smart Cities #AI in Mobility #Driverless Tech #Vancouver Innovation #Electric Vehicles #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

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