What is it?
Autonomous vehicles are most commonly associated with driverless cars. Vehicles that can safely navigate highways and roads without a human behind the wheel.
This field however, expands to include unmanned aerial and ground vehicle, for example:
- Drones
- Unmanned Mining vehicles
- Self-driving Tractors
- Driverless trains
Why is it headed that way?
Steps have already been taken to give cars autonomous features e.g. adaptive cruise control, self-parking.
Cars are set to become increasingly autonomous and will offer:
- Better safety, fitted with intelligent sensors
- Smart and ‘connected’ cars
In terms of road safety, human error plays a big part in the accidents that happen on Australian roads. Common causes include drink-driving, distracted-driving or driver fatigue but accidents of this nature can be reduced by having more driverless cars on the road.
As the demand for goods and services grows, autonomous vehicles will be a way to provide innovative solutions to distribution & efficiency.
What changes can we expect?
In coming years, we can expect vehicles to be increasingly ‘smarter’ and ‘connected’ to the roads and communities they drive in. Autonomous vehicles are set to be a disruptive force for automotive OEMs and suppliers, mobile service providers and technology providers.
Robotics
What is it?
Robotics are intelligent systems that can adjust the tasks they do, depending on the instructions they are given, in other words, that they can be ‘reprogrammed’. Through sensor technology, they are able to adapt to their surrounding environment to maintain a peak level of performance.
Why is it headed that way?
Robotics looks to be a shaper of the future as it rides the wave of current technological advances in the areas of Internet-Of-Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This looks to make the world a more ‘connected’ place, and allows ‘smart’ devices to aid with making smarter decisions and actions.
Data-driven choices allows robotics to adapt and be efficient, despite changing needs and environments. With real-time information, it is positioned to respond faster and perform at optimal levels over a vast number of scenarios.
Robotics also helps to create meaningful work. More repetitive and complex work can be tasked to robotics, such as in factory settings. This, in effect, leaves room for people to take on the more creative and meaningful parts of the job.
What changes can we expect?
As robotics becomes more commonplace in different industries, we can expect a more connected country that is ‘smart’ in delivering more products that people want. Robotics can already be seen in drone-use and factory automation.
A demand for more choice and a more personal shopping experience will drive companies to adopt processes that meet consumer needs. Robotics is a technology that is able to meet a shopper’s individual tastes, given its ability to be ‘reprogrammed’. From chocolate bars to medicine, people can expect their products to increasingly be more personalised and suit them and their needs.
Blog provided by: Adam Lee