Three-Quarters of Vehicles Sold Worldwide by 2035 Will Have Autonomous Features, Forecasts Navigant Research

BOULDER, CO--December 15, 2013: --Self-driving vehicles have been imagined for many years, and several high-profile autonomous vehicle research and development programs have shown that the technology is getting closer to market readiness in recent years. With the advent of more accurate global positioning system navigation, as well as onboard sensors and the associated advanced driver assistance systems, cars now have the potential to drive themselves. According to a recent report from Navigant Research, the penetration rate of autonomous vehicle features in annual worldwide vehicle sales will climb steadily beginning in 2025, reaching 75 percent by 2035.

“Already, automakers are incorporating intelligent onboard systems, such as self-parking, traffic jam assistance, and adaptive cruise control, in new and upcoming models.”

“The introduction of satellite navigation systems has hastened the development of autonomous vehicle features, replacing the need for a massively expensive road infrastructure that was once thought to be a requirement for automated driving,” says David Alexander, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “Already, automakers are incorporating intelligent onboard systems, such as self-parking, traffic jam assistance, and adaptive cruise control, in new and upcoming models.”

While some drivers are likely to resist the advent of self-driven vehicles, and there are legal and regulatory hurdles that must be overcome before they penetrate the market to a significant degree, autonomous driving systems offer many benefits. Most notable, according to the report, is the potential for greatly reduced accident rates. With sensors monitoring the driver as well as the surrounding roads and traffic, self-driving modes could be set to kick in automatically to prevent crashes.

The report, “Autonomous Vehicles”, provides a detailed examination of the emerging market for advanced driver assistance features leading to semi-autonomous and autonomous driving. The report includes profiles of the leading vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, along with an analysis of the drivers and inhibitors for sales of these vehicles. Forecasts for revenue and sales volumes, segmented by region, extend through 2035. The report also includes a review of the core driver assistance technologies that make self-driving vehicles possible. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.