© 2024 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Florida Aims For Leadership in Autonomous Vehicles

Wikimedia Creative Commons

Florida aims to lead the way in automated vehicle technology, with a three year research program underway. But don’t expect to see fully self-driving cars on the road any time soon.

The Florida Department of Transportation is working with universities and industry groups to develop autonomous vehicle technology.That includes the use of radar for vehicle to vehicle communication, says spokesperson Tanner Martin.

“Maybe you’re not paying attention, you’re yelling at your kid in the back seat, and you don’t realize a car is as close as it is, as long as the other car is equipped with v-to-v communications it can give you a warning, ‘hey you’re coming up on me too fast’”, Martin said.

Martin says road testing should be underway by the end of the year. As for seeing a car next to you completely driving itself? He says that’s still decades away.