Autonomous Vehicles Spring 2019

A few years ago autonomous vehicles were as much a wild idea as anything, even though automakers were promising fully autonomous vehicles (AV) by 2020. Here it is, 2019, and while fully autonomous vehicles may not hit the streets next year, they are not far off. Therefore, this article examines where the technology for autonomous vehicles is now.

A pilot program testing an autonomous shuttle service will begin at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in early May, 2019. The vehicles are 3d-printed, electronic, and seat eight people. The pilot program is set to last for ninety days. The plan is to use the shuttle to connect buildings on the base such as the health clinic, child care center, dining hall, chapel, and library. The base is an ideal testing ground as the speed limit on all roads is 25 mph or lower, there are no hills with inclines greater than 15 degrees, there are no traffic lights, and there are other vehicles on the roads. Many new recruits do not have vehicles and this provides ready transportation.