AUTOMOTIVE
Autonomous Cars: Separating Fact From Fiction
Driverless cars — or self-driving cars, such as the robotaxi — are already a reality in some countries, but they remain controversial. We unpack some common beliefs so you can discover which issues may be a cause for concern.
By Matt Bubbers | Illustration by Sam Island
With all the headlines this year about self-driving cars and so-called robotaxis hitting the road, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. In theory, fully autonomous vehicles could dramatically improve road safety and make every driver’s morning commute a breeze. However, the technology isn’t available in consumer vehicles yet, and plenty of big questions remain regarding regulation, cybersecurity and data privacy.
“We still might be thinking this stuff is far off, but the reality is manufacturers are moving quickly when it comes to automated vehicles and automated features,” says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice-president of government and community relations at CAA Club Group. This year, for example, leading robotaxi startup Waymo — owned by Google parent company Alphabet — is reportedly looking to expand its driverless ridesharing service to Toronto.
Given recent advances in technology, it’s worth taking a moment to separate fact from fiction when it comes to autonomous vehicles.
“We still might be thinking this stuff is far off, but the reality is manufacturers are moving quickly when it comes to automated vehicles and automated features.”
True or False? My semi-automated car can drive itself. It’s already called ‘self-driving.’
True or False? Robotaxis, previously the stuff of science fiction, are already out there.
True or False? Human drivers are obsolete.
False. Even if a car’s semi-automated driving system allows drivers to take their feet off the pedals and hands off the steering wheel, the human driver is still in charge and is still liable in case of a collision.
“At this point, humans are still on the hook for what their vehicle does,” Di Felice points out. Semi-automated driving systems are sold by many car companies in a wide range of somewhat misleading names, such as Autopilot, Super Cruise, Symbiotic Drive and Full Self-Driving. But for now, all of those systems merely assist the human behind the wheel. It’s best to treat them as glorified cruise control.
True. Driverless passenger cars do exist, but so far, only as robotaxi fleets operated as a service by companies such as Waymo, Uber, WeRide, Zoox and Baidu. Autonomous taxis are already driving around the globe — Waymo robotaxis are available in 11 American cities and counting, SW Mobility operates robotaxis in South Korea, WeRide offers robotaxis in China and the United Arab Emirates. But there has not been a robotaxi launch date set for Canada, and it remains to be seen whether commercial robotaxis can handle a Canadian winter or not. Safely operating on ice and snow is still a big hurdle.
It’s not just robotaxis, either. Canadian company Gatik, a pioneer in its field, operates driverless delivery trucks in the U.S. and Canada. Last year, grocery retailer Loblaw announced an expansion of its deal with Gatik, and is increasing its driverless fleet to 50 trucks operating in the Toronto area by the end of 2026.
The catch is that these robotrucks and robotaxis aren’t available for purchase by consumers. You won’t find them in any dealership — not yet, anyway.
False. With the rise of semi-automated vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems such as lane-centring and stop-and-go cruise control, and built-in safety features like automatic braking, it may seem that humans have less than ever to do behind the wheel. But in fact, there is more. While automation can mitigate human error from contributing to a collision, it can also cause problems if one of the features surprises the driver. For example, if the car is making audible, unfamiliar noises or braking unexpectedly, the driver may overcorrect or become distracted. “Autonomous and automated vehicles have their merits, and the current features in cars are all designed in the name of safety — but to be effective in creating safe conditions and preventing collisions, autonomous cars require motorists to put more effort into making sure they understand how those features work,” says Di Felice. Spending some time with the driver’s manual is a good start, so you know what to expect. CAA
Glossary of autonomous car-related terms
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Semi-automated vehicle:
The vehicle includes driver assistance features that can perform some driving tasks including: lane control and steering, cruise control that can be set to maintain a speed, brake and accelerate. A human driver must remain attentive and ready to take control at any time.
Autonomous vehicle:
Most, if not all, driving tasks can be performed by the vehicle without needing driver input. Some vehicles in this category do not require a driver.
Self-driving vehicle:
Often used interchangeably with the term autonomous vehicle, these can navigate the roads with little to no input. Depending on the level of technology, this type of vehicle may need driver input or may be able to function without.
Robotaxi:
A fleet of vehicles designed as self-driving, with no need for driver input, to ferry passengers. This taxi service is connected to an app, enabling passengers to book rides, and works much like other rideshare services.
Driverless car:
Recognized for being the highest level of automation, this vehicle is equipped with advanced technology, allowing it to perform all driving operations without the need of any input from a driver.
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True or False? My semi-automated car can drive itself. It’s already called ‘self-driving.’
False. Even if a car’s semi-automated driving system allows drivers to take their feet off the pedals and hands off the steering wheel, the human driver is still in charge and is still liable in case of a crash.
“At this point, humans are still on the hook for what their vehicle does,” Di Felice points out. Semi-automated driving systems are sold by many car companies in a wide range of somewhat misleading names, such as Autopilot, Super Cruise, Symbiotic Drive and Full Self-Driving. But for now, all of those systems merely assist the human behind the wheel. It’s best to treat them as glorified cruise control.
True or False? Robotaxis, previously the stuff of science fiction, are already out there.
True. Driverless passenger cars do exist, but so far, only as robotaxi fleets operated as a service by companies such as Waymo, Uber, WeRide, Zoox and Baidu. Autonomous taxis are already driving around the globe — Waymo robotaxis are available in 11 American cities and counting, SW Mobility operates robotaxis in South Korea, WeRide offers robotaxis in China and the United Arab Emirates. But there has not been a robotaxi launch date set for Canada, and it remains to be seen whether commercial robotaxis can handle a Canadian winter or not. Safely operating on ice and snow is still a big hurdle.
It’s not just robotaxis, either. Canadian company Gatik, a pioneer in its field, operates driverless delivery trucks in the U.S. and Canada. Last year, grocery retailer Loblaw announced an expansion of its deal with Gatik, and is increasing its driverless fleet to 50 trucks operating in the Toronto area by the end of 2026.
The catch is that these robotrucks and robotaxis aren’t available for purchase by consumers. You won’t find them in any dealership — not yet, anyway.
True or False? Human drivers are obsolete.
False. With the rise of semi-automated vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems such as lane-centring and stop-and-go cruise control, and built-in safety features like automatic braking, it may seem that humans have less than ever to do behind the wheel. But in fact, there is more. While automation can mitigate human error from contributing to a collision, it can also cause problems if one of the features surprises the driver. For example, if the car is making audible, unfamiliar noises or braking unexpectedly, the driver may overcorrect or become distracted. “Autonomous and automated vehicles have their merits, and the current features in cars are all designed in the name of safety — but to be effective in creating safe conditions and preventing collisions, autonomous cars require motorists to put more effort into making sure they understand how those features work,” says Di Felice. Spending some time with the driver’s manual is a good start, so you know what to expect. CAA