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Driverless cars not coming anytime soon – Experts verdict

Published

5 years ago

August 25, 2021

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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Toyota Corolla Cross: The SUV That Blends Everyday Comfort With Practicality

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Toyota Corolla Cross: The SUV That Blends Everyday Comfort With Practicality

With its elevated driving position, spacious cabin, advanced safety technologies and fuel-efficient hybrid options, the Toyota Corolla Cross offers motorists a compelling blend of SUV versatility and everyday convenience.

For motorists seeking a vehicle that combines the comfort of a family car with the versatility of a sport utility vehicle, the Toyota Corolla Cross presents an attractive option in the increasingly competitive crossover market.

Developed around the familiar Corolla nameplate, the Corolla Cross brings together the practicality associated with the Corolla range and the elevated stance, generous interior space and utility expected of an SUV.
Toyota describes the model as combining spacious interior accommodation and outstanding utility with responsive performance and fuel efficiency.

The result is a vehicle designed to appeal to families, professionals and urban motorists who want a versatile vehicle for daily commuting, business engagements, weekend outings and longer journeys.

SUV styling meets everyday functionality

The Corolla Cross adopts the raised body profile and commanding road presence of an SUV while retaining proportions intended to make it manageable for everyday driving.

Its design seeks to balance visual appeal with functionality, giving buyers an alternative to conventional saloon cars without requiring them to move into a larger SUV.

The elevated seating position can provide drivers with a more commanding view of the road, while the crossover format offers flexibility for passengers, shopping, luggage and other everyday transportation needs.

For Nigerian motorists navigating a combination of busy city streets, highways and varying road conditions, these characteristics make the model worth considering as an all-round family and business vehicle.

Comfort and space for modern motorists

Interior space is an important part of the Corolla Cross proposition. Its cabin is designed to accommodate passengers comfortably while providing practical storage and luggage-carrying capability for everyday activities.

The model’s SUV-inspired layout offers an alternative for customers who need more versatility than a conventional compact saloon but do not necessarily require a full-size SUV.

Depending on the grade, Nigerian buyers should confirm the availability of specific convenience and infotainment features, including touchscreen functions, smartphone connectivity, climate control and other equipment, with an authorised Toyota dealer.

Fuel efficiency and hybrid technology

Fuel economy remains a significant consideration for Nigerian vehicle buyers, particularly households and businesses seeking to manage running costs.

Toyota’s Corolla Cross range includes hybrid versions in selected markets, combining a petrol engine with an electric motor to improve efficiency. The official Toyota Corolla Cross product information highlights fuel-saving hybrid technology as one of the model’s major strengths.

Toyota also lists an E-Four electric four-wheel-drive system on applicable hybrid versions. Availability of this drivetrain and the associated features depends on the specific version.

Actual fuel consumption will vary according to the powertrain, driving conditions, traffic, vehicle load and driving style. Prospective Nigerian buyers should therefore confirm the engine, transmission and hybrid availability of the exact vehicle being offered locally rather than assume that every international specification is available in Nigeria.

Safety and driver assistance

Safety is another important element of the Corolla Cross package.

Toyota’s international product information highlights Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of active safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to support drivers in everyday traffic situations. Depending on the model grade and market, the package may include functions intended to help detect potential collisions and support safer driving.

The manufacturer’s information also identifies parking assistance and a back-guide monitor on applicable grades, helping drivers manoeuvre in confined spaces.

However, equipment can differ by market and specification. Buyers should request confirmation of the safety features fitted to the particular Corolla Cross being sold by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited or its accredited dealers.

Backed by Toyota’s Nigerian dealer network

Beyond the vehicle’s design and equipment, the availability of authorised sales, servicing and genuine spare parts is an important consideration for buyers.

Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, appointed distributor of Toyota Motor Corporation in Nigeria, operates through seven accredited dealers across the country. The company says its network supports vehicle sales, after-sales services and the supply of genuine parts.

Purchasing an eligible new vehicle through an accredited dealer also provides access to Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s stated basic warranty of three years or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, subject to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions.

The company says its Nigerian-market vehicles are configured with local operating conditions in mind, including a Severe User Package designed to help vehicles cope with challenging road and environmental conditions. Customers should confirm the precise specification applicable to the Corolla Cross they intend to purchase.

Where to enquire about the Toyota Corolla Cross

Customers can contact Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s accredited dealers to confirm the Corolla Cross’s availability, current price, engine and transmission options, colour choices, warranty coverage and delivery arrangements.

The seven dealers listed on Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s official website are:
Elizade Nigeria Limited, R.T. Briscoe (Nigeria), Omoregie Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Mandilas Enterprises Limited,
Kojo Motors Limited and Metropolitan Motors Limited.
Dealer contacts and locations can be checked on Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s official website at www.toyotanigeria.com/dealers/.

A versatile choice for the modern driver

The Toyota Corolla Cross brings together the elevated stance of an SUV, the everyday practicality of the Corolla nameplate and the availability of fuel-efficient hybrid technology in selected versions.

For Nigerian buyers weighing comfort, utility, safety and long-term ownership support, the model deserves consideration as a versatile vehicle for both personal and family use.

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Hyundai Unveils Mufasa, Grand Creta SUVs to Strengthen Nigeria Line-up (Updated)

Published

4 days ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Hyundai Unveils Mufasa, Grand Creta SUVs to Strengthen Nigeria Line-up (Updated)

Hyundai Motors Nigeria has expanded its sport utility vehicle (SUV) range with the introduction of the all-new Mufasa and Grand Creta, offering Nigerian motorists more choices in styling, performance, technology and passenger comfort.

The two models, unveiled in Lagos on Wednesday, are targeted at different customer segments, with the Mufasa designed for motorists seeking a stylish, five-seater SUV, while the Grand Creta offers a three-row, seven-seater configuration suited to larger families and customers requiring additional passenger space.

The launch underscores Hyundai’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Nigeria’s competitive automotive market, where demand for versatile vehicles that combine comfort, safety, performance and practicality continues to shape consumer preferences.

Speaking at the launch, Hyundai Motors Nigeria’s General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr Gaurav Vashisht, said the new models reflected the company’s commitment to providing vehicles that meet the changing needs of Nigerian customers.

“The SUV segment continues to attract strong interest in Nigeria, as customers increasingly prioritise comfort, safety, technology and versatility,” Vashisht said.

He also gave a rundown of the two new vehicles’ features even as he stated that the Mufasa and Grand Creta were designed to meet different lifestyle requirements while maintaining Hyundai’s global standards of quality and innovation.

Mufasa targets style-conscious motorists

The Hyundai Mufasa combines bold exterior styling with a spacious cabin and features designed for everyday driving. Its distinctive front grille, signature LED lighting and muscular bodywork give it a commanding road presence.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre Smartstream multipoint fuel injection (MPi) petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the market specification, the engine produces approximately 150–160 horsepower and 193Nm of torque.

The five-seater SUV measures about 4,475mm in length, with a 2,680mm wheelbase, providing room for passengers and luggage while retaining a practical footprint for urban driving and longer journeys.

Its cabin features a modern dashboard, digital displays and storage spaces, while available equipment, depending on the variant, includes touchscreen infotainment, smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, wireless charging and selectable driving modes.

Safety and driver-support features include anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, airbags and parking assistance, subject to the vehicle specification.

The Mufasa is positioned as an option for professionals, younger motorists and families seeking a combination of contemporary design, technology and everyday usability.

Grand Creta offers seven-seat flexibility

The Grand Creta complements the Mufasa with a larger cabin and seating for up to seven occupants, making it suitable for families and motorists who prioritise passenger capacity and interior flexibility.

The SUV is powered by an available 2.0-litre Smartstream petrol engine producing approximately 159 horsepower and 191Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is offered on automatic variant.

Its 2,760mm wheelbase supports a spacious three-row layout, while the flexible seating arrangement allows occupants to adjust the cabin to accommodate passengers or luggage.

Depending on the trim, convenience features include an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, rear air-conditioning vents, keyless entry, push-button start and a digital instrument cluster.

Higher-specification versions may also feature leather-appointed seats, ventilated front seats, automatic climate control, wireless charging and a panoramic sunroof.

Safety equipment offered across the range includes six airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points.

The model is aimed particularly at larger families seeking additional space and comfort without sacrificing the styling and versatility associated with SUVs.

After-sales support in focus

Beyond the new models, Hyundai Motors Nigeria says it is focused on delivering a comprehensive ownership experience through its authorised dealership network, after-sales services and access to genuine spare parts.

Vashisht said the Mufasa would appeal to customers seeking bold styling, modern technology and dynamic performance, while the Grand Creta would cater to those requiring greater passenger capacity, comfort and versatility.

“Our objective is not simply to introduce new vehicles but to deliver a complete ownership experience,” he said, reaffirming the company’s commitment to building long-term customer confidence in the Hyundai brand.

The two additions expand Hyundai’s existing SUV portfolio, which includes the Creta, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade.

Their introduction comes as automakers compete to attract Nigerian buyers with vehicles offering a balance of comfort, safety, technology, performance and long-term ownership value.

With the Mufasa and Grand Creta, Hyundai is seeking to broaden its appeal across different customer categories while strengthening its position in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market.