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Autonomous Vehicles: State of the Art
24 March 2026

From current experiments to ethical and safety challenges

When we talk about autonomous vehicles, we envision a future of AI behind the wheel, cities without traffic lights, seamless traffic flow, and zero accidents. But what is the real situation today? And above all: what challenges still lie ahead?

The concept of autonomous driving has gone through several phases. From the first experimental prototypes in the 1980s – such as those developed by Mercedes-Benz and Carnegie Mellon – we have arrived at a wide array of active projects, ranging from Tesla cars to Waymo and Cruise robotaxis, and experimental urban shuttles in several European cities.

Technically, autonomous driving is divided into six levels (SAE 0-5), where level 0 represents no automation at all, and level 5 represents full autonomy in any context, without the need for a steering wheel or pedals. Today, most commercial technologies are between levels 2 and 3, where the car can manage some functions (such as acceleration, braking, and lane keeping) but still requires constant human supervision.

The main challenges are not just technological. Although sensors, radar, and AI are rapidly improving, there are still major regulatory, ethical, and infrastructure barriers. In the event of an accident, who is responsible? How can we ensure that an algorithm makes the “right” decisions? And most importantly: are our cities really ready for vehicles that drive themselves?

On the ethical front, the debate is ongoing. Should a vehicle prioritize the protection of its passengers or pedestrians? Can an algorithm make moral decisions? Some researchers are working to codify these principles into decision-making systems, but the implications are complex.

Meanwhile, testing continues. In Arizona and California, robotaxis are already operating, though limited to specific routes. In Europe, cities such as Paris, Berlin, and Lyon are experimenting with autonomous shuttles in low-traffic zones. In Italy, companies like Leonardo, Italdesign, and various universities are developing autonomous driving platforms for industrial, military, or logistics applications.

The future of autonomous vehicles is no longer a matter of “if,” but of “when” and “how.” What remains to be seen is whether we can integrate them into the social, legal, and urban fabric of our cities. Because having a vehicle that drives itself is not enough: we also need a culture that’s ready to welcome it.

  

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