Learning to drive - or not

"What will AI do too just about everything? It will be like pouring nitro in with your gasoline. Hang on tightly, because the future is coming fast, and will be changing everything equally as fast."    

I have a grandkid in the third grade. He will be 16 in 7 years - old enough to drive. I might have some bad news (or good news, depending on how he takes it) for him. He might never get the chance to drive. Why? AI is really starting to take hold in the autonomous car industry. Some cars already have a "cruise control" on the steering wheel, for limited hands-off driving. Many trucking companies are getting ready to cut loose with totally automated trucks. One of the pizza joints has an automated delivery truck. 

With the advances in AI, and the number of players in this new industry, change, big change, will be happening sooner rather than later. So then, how exactly will things progress? And where are we right now? Let's see if we can make some sense out of this new technology.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has come up with different levels of automation for these soon to come, self-driving cars. For the most part, we are still at SAE Level 0. That means we have nothing - except us to drive our cars.

However, I have seen the first evidence of SAE Level 1 cars. That is where under the right conditions (perfect weather, light traffic and a straight highway), you can take your hands off the wheel and let the car drive itself. BUT - you need to be at the ready to take over. This level is nothing more than "dipping your toe in the water."

SAE Level 2, which I think will be here very shortly. This is where you allow the car some more latitude. However, the car will instantly warn you if it thinks some kind of traffic or danger is ahead. That way, the driver can instantly take over total control of the car again. 

SAE Level 3 driving - now we are getting someplace. This is also called "conditional driving". But once again, for the driver begin to relax, would be in traffic conditions which are just about perfect. But it is a step up from Level 2.

SAE Level 4 - now we are in the big leagues. Cars are driverless. Some have access to the wheel and pedals, others do not. Experts consider this level to be auto-driving cars with training wheels. 

SAE Level 5 - this is the "golden fleece". This is the big prize. When we get to this level, a car will be able to drive by itself, in any location, in any traffic, in any weather. Humans will be passengers - not drivers. How close is this level? Depends. Some truck companies are ready to be at this level now. My guess is, with how fast AI is developing, shortly after 2025, seeing driverless cars will be more common than uncommon.

For those who think this technology is going too fast, consider this. Ten years ago, seeing a rocket booster separate from the rocket, and guide itself into a self-landing on the launch pad, would look like magic. Either magic or some kind of visual effect. Yesterday, there was another launch using a SpaceX rocket. Six minutes or so into the flight, the booster separated, and flawlessly self-landed back on the launch pad. Even though very difficult to master, it looked routine and easy-peasy. 

What will AI do too just about everything? It will be like pouring nitro in with your gasoline. Hang on tightly, because the future is coming fast, and will be changing everything equally as fast.