While the technology has been refined significantly over the years, the basic idea of the modern car hasn't changed that much since Henry Ford began mass production of vehicles in 1914. A car has four wheels and a steering wheel, and you simply drive where you need to go. It's surprising to think that this basic idea might soon be a thing of the past.

In the near future, new cars will still have four wheels (and all the creature comforts), but the steering wheel will be hardly used, if it's there at all. So how long will it be before self-driving cars are a common feature on the road?

Not As New As You Might Think...

Self-driving vehicles have been a staple of science fiction for many years. But like spaceships that can travel faster than light, or humanoid robots, self-driving vehicles were seen as total fiction - nothing that would ever be a reality. Driverless cars have actually existed since the 1920's, although these early models were largely novelties, and were remotely controlled by an actual driver.

Experiments continued over the decades, and yet it was only in 2005 that self-driving technology reached the point where the concept seemed it would be ready for mass-production. The 2005 vehicle's software was developed by a team from Stanford University, and this technology has subsequently been refined to the point where these vehicles will be on the roads rather soon - depending on legislation.

Available At A Car Dealer Near You?

Leading manufacturers have announced that they will have self-driving cars available from 2017, with other models expected to also be available in the following years. The sales regions for these vehicles will be somewhat limited at first, as government legislation is necessary for these cars to be street legal.

A number of US states have already implemented legislation that allows for self-driving cars, as has the UK, France and Germany. Such legislation will need to be amended before too long, as the technology advances to the point where the vehicle can be fully autonomous

At present, a driver must still sit behind the wheel, ready to take over in case of an emergency. These vehicles can essentially only be self-driving on the open road, and the driver must take control in an urban area. This is because hazards and pedestrians are more prevalent in towns and cities.

What About the Legal Issues?

It's a certainty that self-driving vehicles will be available in a fairly short timeframe. The 2005 vehicle's software was developed by a team from Stanford University, and this technology has subsequently been refined to the point where these vehicles will be on the roads rather soon - depending on legislation. How do you determine liability if your car's computer system causes an accident?

Of course, one of the motivating factors in the usage of a driverless car is that it's far less likely to cause an accident, since human error is removed from the equation. Just think - you could enjoy a few drinks at the pub and then have your car drive you home. You might not even need to worry about parking, since you would be able to summon your car via an app. Your car could drive from your home to your location, and it certainly wouldn't complain about the inconvenience!

So while a safe and stylish driverless car might be available in 2017, it doesn't necessarily mean that such a vehicle will be legal in Australia. Legislation will change to allow for this new technology, and if you want a lift home from the pub late at night, then the sooner the better!