Self-driving car
automobile capable of traveling without human input
A self-driving car, also known as an autonomous car, driverless car, robotic car, or robo-car, is a car that is capable of operating with reduced or no human input. They are sometimes called robotaxis, though this term refers specifically to self-driving cars operated for a ridesharing company. As of 2026, the term "self-driving" lacks an agreed standard definition and is also subject to commercial advertising and branding considerations.
In 2020, Waymo was the first to offer rides in driverless taxis in the operational design domain (ODD) of limited geographic areas, but as of late 2025, no system has achieved full autonomy in all domains - sometimes referred to as "Level 5" on a scale of 0 to 5 levels of automation defined by the global standards organization SAE International, or simply "no driver" as given by the classification system proposed by Mobileye in the US.
Following a history of experimentation and development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after World War II, two main technologies are now primarily used: LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and visual sensors (cameras) which capture images and video like human eyes. These are combined with systems such as Global Positioning System (GPS), neural networks, artificial intelligence, and established ADAS engineering to deliver levels of driving autonomy.
The primary obstacle to self-driving is the advanced software and mapping required to make them work safely across the wide variety of conditions that drivers experience. However, the software is not yet advanced enough to handle all circumstances and has caused accidents and deaths. Other issues include security of over-the-air updates, legal and regulatory issues, ethics, and consumer confidence. Methods of testing and monitoring the reliability of cars have evolved in parallel with deployment, with various standards being proposed. Implications for urban infrastructure and the economy have also been discussed.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Self-driving car” is automobile capable of traveling without human input. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Self-driving, automobile and capable, not as a finished interpretation.
Why this record matters
The phrase “automobile capable of traveling without human input” supplies a clear boundary for inquiry. It also exposes the unanswered questions: who defined that boundary, when it became stable and which sources sit outside it.
Named sources, stable identifiers and responsible institutions provide the strongest route from overview to verifiable evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 16, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q741490. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 2026, 2020 and 2025.
A concise general-reference account can conceal disagreements about scope, terminology or the weight assigned to individual sources. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Self-driving car”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Self-driving car primary sources, Self-driving car archive and Self-driving research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Self-driving car”?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Self-driving car” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.