The concept of self-driving vehicles can be traced back to the early auto industry vision. In 1925, a demonstration was made where an experimental vehicle was remotely controlled by radio. GM showcased a futuristic vision of autonomous driving at the New York World Fair in 1956. In the 1980s, many companies started research and development on self-driving vehicles. In 2010, Google began its self-driving car project, which eventually became Waymo. Early prototypes demonstrated the potential for self-driving in urban environments. In 2016, Tesla introduced its Autopilot feature, which provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, but it required driver supervision. In 2017, Waymo launched a pilot program for self-driving taxis in Arizona, making one of the first commercial uses of autonomous vehicles. Later on, many companies expanded their autonomous vehicle operations. Some cities allowed self-driving taxis to operate in certain conditions without human drivers. Right now, many countries have passed laws to allow autonomous vehicles to operate to ensure safety and integration into public roads. Even though many companies abandoned self-driving projects. Other companies continue their autonomous driving business. Driving jobs are expected to decrease in the future.
As technology evolves, self-driving cars are expected to become more prevalent. Challenges remain regarding safety, ethics, infrastructure, and public acceptance. The future of self-driving potentially transforms urban mobility and transportation systems worldwide.