For years, researchers have been working behind the scenes to improve autonomous vehicles. And all of a sudden, that work is playing out in a very public way.
Top tech companies and automakers are testing new models on the streets, talking bullishly about fleets of self-driving cars, and thinking about how to combine electrification with automation. Meanwhile, regulators and city planners are trying to keep up with the pace of technological change. This year will likely mark the beginning of the commercial autonomous car era.
