Early Concepts and Foundations
The history of autonomous vehicles begins with visionary ideas long before modern technology made them feasible. In the late 19th century, inventors dreamed of self-propelled carriages, laying the groundwork for what we now call self-driving cars.
Key early milestones include:
- 1870s-1880s: Steam and Electric Automatons – Early experiments like the "steam wagon" by Sylvester Roper in 1867 demonstrated basic self-propulsion, though not truly autonomous.
- 1925: Houdina Radio Control – A radio-controlled car driven through New York City streets, showcasing remote operation as a precursor to autonomy.
- 1939: Elektro the Moto-Man – At the New York World's Fair, this humanoid robot controlled a car, highlighting early automation concepts.
These foundations illustrate how imagination and basic mechanics evolved into sophisticated systems, setting the stage for computer-controlled vehicles.