Continuity versus rupture: two approaches to increase car autonomy

• Grant number: 15/25145-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2017
• End date: August 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Production Engineering
• Principal Investigator: João Eduardo de Morais Pinto Furtado
• Grantee: Danilo Nogueira da Cruz
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The automobile was one of the main industrial products of the 20th century and, in the beginning of the 21st century, it is still widely used as a mode of transport. It is also known that one of the technological and market trends is to make it safer, more efficient and more comfortable. Therefore, automakers and technology companies have invested in replacing human drivers with softwares that automate the act of driving. In this scenario, two main approaches have been proposed: the first is a process of gradual car autonomy increase, with future hope of producing a fully autonomous car, and the second is Google's alternative, a rupture process in which a new car design is introduced as a substitution for the regular auto conception. This research seeks to answer the following question: what are the differences, possible advantages and disadvantages between the two approaches? To answer that question, this research will be based on the evolutionary economics as a theoretical support and on the empirical inquiry of the relevant characteristics of the two approaches, analyzing its technological particularities. (AU)