Smart Mobility APAC

Autonomous vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, and cities around the world are embracing the concept with open arms. Dubai recently launched its first driverless bus service, while Singapore has became the first nation in the world to implement driverless taxis. As the world moves forward and adopts technology that no longer involves human interference, carmakers must face the difficult question of how safe their product really is before it's ready to move people on highways and city streets.

Ever dreamed of kicking back, letting go of the wheel and reading the paper during the commute to work? In large cities, that could soon be a reality. We have reached an era where every single device or object is connected. We have reached a point where our cars can take us for a long ride without even bothering to drive ourselves.

As a start, Toyota unveiled a car that can drive itself along a highway. The modified Lexus GS uses sophisticated sensors to navigate roads, merge lanes and overtake other vehicles.

nuTonomy, an MIT spin-off technology startup that makes software to build self-driving cars, has beat Uber in the race to introduce self-driving cars to the roads. The company, operating in Singapore, has earned the island nation the title as the first country in the world to implement self-driving taxis for public use. NuTonomy has implanted six cars in Singapore that can autonomously pick up passengers and deliver them to their desired destination, as part of a pilot project.