The place are we on the way in which to self-driving autos? Discover out extra on the Cincinnati Auto Expo.

The Cincinnati Auto Expo is known for showcasing luxury vehicles, but you don’t need to try anything luxurious to get a taste of the latest semi-autonomous features.

At least not anymore.

According to Charlie Howard, executive vice president of the Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Association, semi-autonomous features like automatic cruise control, reversing cameras, and lane change technology that were previously reserved for luxury cars have gone mainstream within five years.

Howard said the industry is drawing closer, feature-by-feature, to autonomous vehicles or self-driving cars.

“What you are seeing more and more is this technology seeping through different vehicles at different prices,” he said.

Some of the features will cause your seat or steering wheel to vibrate if you come too close to an obstacle or if your car turns out of lane. Some of the vehicles have cell phone connections and even hotspots for the Internet connection.

“The car has become a technological addition to the home and office,” said Howard. “It’s pretty amazing.”

The levels of autonomy

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, there are five levels of vehicle autonomy.

The US Department of Transportation posted a post on its website that explains all six levels (0-5, zero as no automation). The department predicts that by 2025 we will reach tier five and enter a new era of vehicle safety – including vehicles with fully automated safety functions and highway autopilot.

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According to Howard, level five drivers can essentially “crawl in the back seat of the car and play on your iPad”.

“We’re still a long way from five, okay?” Said Howard. “Not even just before five. And it will probably be a long time. I would describe the functions we have now as semi-autonomous.”

And it looks like “nowhere near five” most consumers want to be.

A JD Power Mobility Confidence Index study, operated by SurveyMonkey and published Jan. 23, found that the consumer confidence index for self-driving vehicles was 36 (out of 100).

Deloitte’s 2019 global study showed that the percentage of consumers who agree that fully self-driving cars are not safe has decreased by 25 percent over the past two years, but remains at 47 percent overall.

“Generally people aren’t ready to hand over the keys to the car,” noted Howard.

But the semi-autonomous features that are available now are helpful, he said. Howard said these features are there to help drivers not drive for them. Instead of taking full control, the car will warn you when another vehicle is entering your blind spot and remind you to slow down if necessary.

Do your homework, said Howard, and try out the features at the Cincinnati Auto Expo. You never know which cars or features you will appreciate the most.

“I know, I guess mine,” said Howard. “And you know, every now and then, when someone suddenly pulls up in front of you and the car flashes a light and makes a noise and lets you know it’s time to slow down now, um, yeah, it probably helped around one Avoiding fender bending on the way, no question about it. “

Information about the Cincinnati Auto Expo 2020

Howard said the Cincinnati Auto Expo is the best opportunity to see what’s new and current in the automotive industry.

The exhibit will take place February 5-9 at the Cincinnati Convention Center and features kid-friendly entertainment, goodie bags, a scavenger hunt, a remote-controlled giveaway for cars, a towable RV campsite, an off-road vehicle exhibit, and a Wednesday night party with proceeds for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and a tailgating venue.

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