An autonomous vehicle (AV), also known as a self-driving car or driverless car, is a vehicle capable of sensing its environment and operating safely without human input. This is achieved through a combination of sensors, software, artificial intelligence (AI), and hardware that together perform the dynamic driving task. A range of companies including Tesla, Waymo, Zoox, Uber, and Baidu have developed autonomous vehicles, including self-driving taxis, personal cars with assisted driving features, and long-haul trucking. Indeed, several companies are now designing vehicles without any driver station at all. Even so, A majority of adults do not feel comfortable riding in a self-driving car, with figures from various polls ranging from 56% to over 61%. Concerns about safety, technology malfunctions, and general lack of trust are the primary reasons for this discomfort. By 2035, it is expected we will have about 4.5 million self-driving cars on our roads. The U.S. autonomous vehicle market was estimated at about $31.5 billion in 2025 and should grow to $67.5 billion by 2030.

Pending Legislation: S.1798 - Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (WY)
Status: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Chair: Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)