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Driverless cars not coming anytime soon – Experts verdict

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5 years ago

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The dream of having self-driving or driverless cars in showrooms and on major roads of the world including Africa may not materialise anytime soon going by latest developments in the auto industry.

Last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote in a tweet, stated, “Generalised self-driving is a hard problem, as it requires solving a large part of real-world AI. Didn’t expect it to be so hard, but the difficulty is obvious in retrospect.”

Musk is definitely singing a new tone compared to his earlier comment that by 2020, there would be “over a million cars with full self-driving software everything.”

To his surprise, achieving fully autonomous driving is a lot more complicated than one might think. Apart from the countless technological obstacles, other issues that need to be considered are cybersecurity, regulatory restrictions and wider-scale infrastructural necessities, according to a Tuesday August 24 analysis by an online journal, Just Auto.

A professor of urban mobility, Hussein Dia, in an article he contributed to Conversation, an international magazine, notes that self-driving cars are still a long way to come and recalls a recent crash of a Tesla car in the United States, in which two people died, as igniting the debate about the safety of self-driving technologies.

The crash was said to have occurred despite special features in Tesla cars such as autopilot meant for monitoring surrounding traffic and lane markings.

Experts point out that the technology required for fully autonomous vehicles that do not need any human supervision is still not mature enough.

Self-driving or autonomous vehicles are said to require processing power orders of magnitude greater than what is usually found in modern vehicles, banks of expensive sensors with multiple points of redundancy, and an infallible software system that handles the driving task while ensuring the safety of occupants and pedestrians.

Dia talks about six levels of autonomous vehicle technology, ranging from level 0 (a traditional vehicle with no automation) to level 5 (a vehicle that can independently do anything a human driver can).

Most automated driving solutions available on the market require human intervention and this puts them at level 1 (driver assistance, such as keeping a car in a lane or managing its speed) or level 2 (partial automation, such as steering and speed control).

Level 3 vehicles have more autonomy and can make some decisions on their own, but the driver must still remain alert and take control if the system is unable to drive.

In the past few years, several fatal crashes involving level 2 and level 3 vehicles were largely attributed to human error. Vehicle manufacturers and regulators have thus been criticised for not doing enough to make these systems more resilient to misuse by inattentive drivers.

For higher levels of automation, a human driver will not be involved. The driver would effectively be replaced by the AI self-driving software.

Level 4 is a “self-driving” vehicle that has a bounded scope of where and when it will drive. The best example of a level 4 vehicle is Google’s Waymo robotaxi project. But like those being produced ny others, it is not commercially available to the public.

Level 5 represents a truly autonomous vehicle that can go anywhere and at any time, similar to what a human driver can do.

Experts note that the transition from level 4 to level 5, however, is harder than transitions between other levels, and may take years to achieve.

While the technologies required for higher levels of automation are advancing rapidly, producing a vehicle that can complete a journey safely and legally without human input appears to remain a big challenge.

One of the challenges is the self-driving software, which is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning neural networks that include millions of virtual neurons that mimic the human brain. This is the area in which current science is still lacking.

This process involves the collection of a massive amount of raw data.

Experts note that training neural nets is something like holding a child’s hand when crossing the road and teaching the child to learn through constant experience, replication and patience. The focus will thus lie on developing more brain-like AI.

Chief Technology Officer at Dell, Charles Sevior, says the world is still 10 years away from level 5 autonomy.

Thomas Dannemann, director of product marketing at Qualcomm, appears more optimistic as he predicts that fully autonomous vehicles will hit the road in “the second half of this decade”.

Dia lists three key barriers to be overcome before they can be safely introduced to the market as technology, regulations and public acceptance.

He says in his conclusion, “While it is necessary to test the performance of self-driving software under real-world conditions, this should only happen after comprehensive safety testing and evaluation. Regulators should come up with a set of standard tests and make companies benchmark their algorithms on standard data sets before their vehicles are allowed on open roads.”

He also says, “The public must be involved in decisions regarding self-driving vehicle deployment and adoption. There is a real risk of undermining public trust if self-driving technologies are not regulated to ensure public safety. A lack of trust will affect not only those who want to use the technology, but also those who share the road with them.

“Finally, this incident should serve as a catalyst to bring regulators and industry to establish a strong and robust safety culture to guide innovations in self-driving technologies.”

Autonomous cars are no doubt tomorrow’s transport luxury, but analysts are unanimous in their view that it will take some time before people can have a pleasurable cruise in a self-driving vehicle.

At the moment, human drivers are found to be better than robot drivers. At least people are able to rapidly view the world around them to make the right decisions about the prevailing circumstances. That is not the case with the AI.

“While emergent technology can easily and accurately detect and classify objects, it still can’t mimic the intricate complexities of driving. Autonomous vehicles not only need to detect and recognise humans and other objects but must also interact with, understand and react to how these things behave.

According to a report by verdict.co.uk, while emergent technology can easily and accurately detect and classify objects, it still can’t mimic the intricate complexities of driving.

It adds that autonomous vehicles not only need to detect and recognise humans and other objects but must also interact with, understand and react to how these things behave.

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Abuja Roars to Life as Jetour X50 Headlines Three-Day Motoring Experience

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4 hours ago

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September 8, 2026

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Abuja Roars to Life as Jetour X50 Headlines Three-Day Motoring Experience 

 

Abuja is gearing up for a major motoring spectacle as Jetour Nigeria brings its fast-growing brand experience to the Federal Capital Territory, with the stylish Jetour X50 set to take centre stage in a three-day showcase of performance, technology and automotive innovation.

Scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, the Jetour Experience Abuja will move beyond the conventional vehicle exhibition, giving motorists and prospective buyers the opportunity to test-drive the X50, interact with automotive specialists and experience a range of entertainment and interactive activities.

The Abuja activation follows the strong reception recorded during Jetour Nigeria’s recent Lagos experience and forms part of the automaker’s strategy to deepen customer engagement while expanding its footprint across Nigeria.

Backed by an expanding authorised dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos and New Era AutoVehicle Services, Jetour is also strengthening access to vehicle sales, after-sales support, genuine spare parts and certified technical services nationwide.

At the heart of the Abuja experience will be the Jetour X50, a compact SUV designed to combine contemporary styling, performance and a technology-rich driving environment.

Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with a dual-clutch transmission, the X50 has positioned itself as a strong contender in Nigeria’s competitive compact SUV segment.

Jetour has equipped the model with a range of premium features, including a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Detection, 10.5-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and leather upholstery.

The combination of technology, comfort and performance is part of Jetour’s strategy of offering premium motoring features at competitive price points.

The Abuja event also highlights Jetour’s aggressive expansion strategy in Nigeria, following the brand’s recognition with industry accolades including Fastest Growing Auto Brand and Auto Brand of the Year.

With its expanding dealer network providing nationwide sales and after-sales support, Jetour is seeking to deepen customer engagement while making its vehicles and ownership services more accessible to motorists across the country.

As Abuja prepares to welcome the Jetour Experience, the three-day activation is expected to provide motorists with an opportunity to see, feel and drive the X50 while experiencing first-hand what is driving the brand’s growing appeal in Nigeria.

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Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

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2 days ago

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September 7, 2026

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Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has pledged to lead a fresh push for government patronage of vehicles assembled by Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (D-PAN), promising to make a strong case for the company at the National Economic Council (NEC).

Sani, who made the commitment while unveiling the new Peugeot 5008 2026 model at the D-PAN plant in Kaduna on Friday, said increased patronage by Federal and state government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was critical to sustaining local vehicle assembly, protecting jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.

The governor’s intervention comes amid renewed efforts to revive Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing industry by increasing local vehicle production and reducing dependence on imported completely built units.

Industry stakeholders have consistently identified government fleet procurement as a major instrument for creating sustained demand for locally assembled vehicles and encouraging investment in assembly plants.

With government agencies operating large vehicle fleets nationwide, stronger preference for locally assembled automobiles could provide the market certainty required by assemblers to expand production, develop local suppliers and deepen technology and skills transfer. It could also support the broader objective of increasing local content in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

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Against this background, Sani said government patronage remained crucial to ensuring the sustainability of local assembly operations and encouraging further investment in the sector.

“I will make a strong presentation at the National Economic Council, urging both the Federal and state governments to patronise the products of this company because that is the only way they can survive,” Sani said.

He also announced that the Kaduna State Government would procure some vehicles from D-PAN, saying the state would lead by example and encourage other governments to patronise locally assembled automobiles.

“As a government, Kaduna State will order some of the vehicles, so that we can show the example for others to follow by patronising this very important company,” the governor added.

Sani pledged continued support and collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and D-PAN, stressing the importance of strengthening local manufacturing as part of efforts to grow Nigeria’s industrial base.

He said D-PAN had made significant contributions to Kaduna’s economy through job creation, skills development and business opportunities for communities within and around its operating environment.

The governor also urged the company to consider employing graduates of the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational and Skills Development, who, according to him, recently completed intensive training in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Sani commended D-PAN for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in communities around its plant, while urging the company to further expand its support for the host communities.

He said the peaceful relationship between D-PAN and its host community was important to the sustainability of the company’s operations, stressing that continued investment in the welfare and development of surrounding communities would help preserve the harmony.

 

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

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NAJA 19th Auto Awards: Industry’s best to battle for honours December 3

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3 days ago

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September 5, 2026

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NAJA 19th Auto Awards: Industry’s best to battle for honours December 3

The battle for recognition among Nigeria’s automobile brands, executives and industry players will reach its climax on December 3, 2026, as the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) stages the grand finale of its 19th annual automotive awards.

The prestigious ceremony, scheduled for the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, is expected to bring together leading automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers, motoring enthusiasts and other major stakeholders in the automotive industry.

The organisers said the 19th edition is being designed to surpass previous editions in scale, organisation and glamour, without compromising the credibility and professional standards for which the awards have become known.

Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was determined to deliver a ceremony that would reflect the growing importance of the automotive industry to Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, the awards have evolved beyond a mere celebration of popular brands to become a platform for identifying and rewarding individuals, companies and products that have made measurable contributions to the development of the sector.

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Kintum said the 19th edition would be “bigger and more glamorous” than previous editions, adding that the committee was working to ensure that every aspect of the ceremony reflects the quality, innovation and achievements of the industry.

He said products, brands and personalities would be assessed across relevant segments of the automotive sector, with winners emerging through the approved NAJA awards modalities.

Also speaking on the awards, NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the association was focused on rewarding genuine excellence rather than simply celebrating the biggest players in the market.

Opara said the objective was to recognise individuals and organisations that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

He noted that the awards had continued to gain relevance among industry stakeholders because of the credibility attached to the judging and evaluation process.

The 2026 edition comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s automotive industry, which is undergoing significant transformation driven by emerging technologies, electric mobility, local vehicle production, changing consumer preferences and evolving government policies.

Against this backdrop, NAJA said the awards would provide an opportunity to celebrate companies and individuals at the forefront of these changes and those contributing to the future direction of the industry.

The association urged automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers and other stakeholders to participate actively in the awards process as preparations gather momentum for the December 3 grand finale.

 

NAJA 19th Auto Awards: Industry’s best to battle for honours December 3

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