We’ve been hearing so much about the amazing future of autonomous and self-driving cars for several years. And while I do believe the future will be filled with a wide variety of self-driving technologies that today we only see today in sci-fi movies, getting to that place is a long and sticky process.
So, where are we now? Today, we fool ourselves into thinking that we are there. Consider the Tesla driver who trusts the car to ferry them around in the city or on the highway without paying attention to the roads themselves or keeping their hands on the steering wheel.
Today technology can assist the driver but cannot take over the job. Not yet anyway.
Self-Driving, autonomous vehicles use 5G, AI, IoT and more
This in-between time we live in today is both very exciting and very dangerous. Self-driving uses 5G, wireless, AI, IoT, the cloud and many other technologies to get around safely.
However, as every driver knows, there are always surprises on the road. That’s why today, we need to stay focused behind the wheel all the time.
In addition, when an automated driving vehicle comes across a complicated or unknown situation, it simply stops. But, while that is an act of self-protection, a stopped car in the middle of a busy road can be very annoying for others and terrible for smooth flowing traffic.
This self-driving predicament is a sign of the times. Sure, in the future we’ll all be driven around in our cars while we read, nap, watch a movie or work. However, until that time, today we are in the clunky and awkward time phase.
Self-driving players like Qualcomm, Ericsson, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T
There are so many winning companies in this space from many different areas.
· Some of them are equipment makers like Qualcomm, Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia and more.
· Some of them are networks like Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T Mobility, plus there are so many others who are or could be and may be in this space going forward.
· These are plenty of smaller competitors focused on software and electronics like Einride, Motional, May Mobility, AEye, Argo AI, WeRide, Cortica, Otonomo.
These are all the ingredients needed and every year the industry becomes new again and more complicated.
Autonomous driving will grow through various stages as it matures
Self-driving or autonomous driving is a new space, and we are in the very early stages of its development that will move forward for decades.
We will watch this space grow and mature in coming years. These companies all have an amazing growth potential ahead of them.
However, that does not mean every company will hit the bullseye. Some will and others will miss. This is the way things always work in a new and growing space.
Choosing between the winners and losers is always the toughest part for investors, workers and customers.
Choosing winners in automated and self-driving industry
Every new marketplace has different stages in its lifespan. When it’s young, it seems there are more companies than you can count and all of them sound like they will be winners moving forward. This is when a wide variety of smaller players enter.
The next steps follow which include maturing of the technology, merging of different companies and tech, and more. In the early days there are countless, but smaller companies. As the years pass, the number of companies are reduced due to acquisition and consolidation.
After several years, there are fewer and larger competitors in the space. Size is both good and bad. Good in that there is financial strength behind each. Bad in that there are often many layers involved and the once nimble competitor becomes bogged down.
Where autonomous and self-driving is today and what’s coming next?
Today, we are still in the very early days of this autonomous car revolution. Today, we see countless competitors in different space of various sizes.
Today, it seems like all will be successful. Just remember, for the long-term, keep your ear to the ground with the goal of staying ahead of the curve. Make sure you are invested, work for or are a customer of the few winners, not one of the many strugglers.
As we move forward, autonomous and self-driving will become a real service that will be welcomed by the marketplace. That should translate to a booming and rapidly advancing industry for decades to come.
By that time hopefully we will advance enough so these self-driving cars won’t simply stop in the middle of a crowded road trying to decide what to do next. Ah, the future!
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