In November 2017, Waymo announced the start of autonomous driving tests without a human driver. Last week, General Motors asked the federal government to approve the production of a fully driverless car, with no steering wheel or brake pedal, and planned to launch it in 2019. These developments mark a significant shift—demonstrating that autonomous vehicles are transitioning from lab experiments to real-world commercial products.
A recent report by Navigant Research has caught the attention of the automotive industry. It ranks 19 leading companies in the field of autonomous driving. The ranking is based on various factors, including strategy, execution, technology, market presence, and product quality.
The report highlights a clear hierarchy, dividing the companies into four categories: Leaders, Competitors, Challengers, and Followers. According to the findings, General Motors and Waymo lead the pack, while Tesla lags behind. This ranking raises questions about why Tesla, despite its technological ambitions, is not performing as well as expected.
Navigant Research evaluated companies on multiple criteria, such as goals, market strategies, partnerships, production capabilities, and technological innovation. Their assessment revealed that Tesla, while having strong manufacturing experience, faces challenges in developing a fully autonomous system. Unlike competitors like Waymo and GM, which have invested heavily in both software and hardware, Tesla’s approach has been more limited.
Tesla initially used Mobileye’s hardware for its Autopilot system, but after a fatal accident in 2016, the two companies parted ways. Since then, Tesla has been working on its own self-driving technology. However, according to Navigant Research, the company's progress has been slow, with some features regressing rather than improving.
Moreover, Tesla lacks key components essential for full autonomy, such as redundant systems and lidar sensors, which many industry experts consider necessary. While Elon Musk remains optimistic about achieving full autonomy by 2019, the report suggests this goal may be unrealistic given the current limitations.
Meanwhile, General Motors has taken a different approach by acquiring Cruise, a startup focused on autonomous driving. This move has allowed GM to combine its manufacturing expertise with Cruise’s cutting-edge technology. As a result, Cruise has become one of Waymo’s strongest competitors.
Waymo, backed by Google, continues to lead in software development, but it still needs reliable manufacturing partners to scale up its operations. Despite its advanced technology, Waymo faces challenges in securing long-term agreements with automakers, as their business models often conflict.
Other major automakers, like Ford, Volkswagen, and BMW, are also making steady progress. Ford, for example, invested $1 billion in ArgoAI, while Daimler and Bosch are collaborating on fully autonomous systems. These efforts show that the race for driverless technology is intensifying, with multiple players vying for dominance.
As the industry evolves, the success of autonomous vehicles will depend not only on technological innovation but also on strategic partnerships, production capabilities, and regulatory support. The next few years will determine who truly leads in the future of transportation.
Digital Signage For Restaurant
menu boards for restaurants,digital display player,signage display digital,digital menu boards for restaurants,digital menu in restaurant,electronic menu,digital menu,digital food menu,digital menu tv
Guangdong Elieken Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.elieken.com