Future of Unmanned Systems

While this final weeks post asks specifically about “Unmanned” systems, I am going to include “optionally manned” systems as well, since I believe it will have the greatest future impact on the world. Self-driving cars are slowly working their way into the consumer market, and automotive manufactures are working hard to develop and implement this technology. I say optionally manned, because I don’t believe that humans will ever lose the desire to drive all together. Obviously the intent of the self-driving car is to transport things, including people. If a human is to be on board, I believe it should have the option to drive the vehicle. Companies like Tesla, and Ford are taking this approach. But a self-driving car would also have the advantage of driving its self to the dealership for scheduled maintenance, driving its self to the car wash, or driving its self to the tire shop. While unmanned aerial systems and unmanned maritime systems that are changing the world now, with the way we conduct military operations, and oceanic research, I truly believe the autonomous/semi-autonomous car is going to have the most profound impact on people day to day lives. Hobby and consumer grade drones satisfy a niche market, but as automotive manufactures include ever increasing automation features into their vehicles they make the roads safer and safer. Radar in the cars that automatically apply the brakes when traveling too close, or keep a driver in its lane are small hints at what autonomous cars can do, and several automotive manufactures have achieved outstanding accomplishments in self-driving technology. Mercedes Benz had
 their self-driving car deliver its self to the SEMA Auto Expo in Las Vegas, Audi tackled the Pikes Peak race course with a self-driving car. Developing the technology is the expensive, part, but it has already been developed. The world is now refining this technology and it won’t be long before you tell your car where you want it to take you.



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