Self-driving cars, like the Volkswagen Herbie and KITT from Knight Rider, are gradually transitioning from science fiction to reality. The benefits are clear: passengers can use their commute to relax, work, or be entertained while reducing accidents caused by human error. Additionally, autonomous vehicles offer increased mobility for individuals unable to drive themselves.
However, giving up control in the complex environment of road traffic requires highly advanced technology. Ongoing developments aim to bring fully autonomous vehicles to our roads, and one key area of focus is how these cars can communicate effectively — such as sharing updates on road conditions — to enhance safety and efficiency.
A research team from New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering has developed a system to improve communication between autonomous vehicles, similar to how people interact on social networks. Their advancements were presented at the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence Conference on February 27, 2025.
