The robots are coming! We aren't talking about industrial manufacturing robots or little vacuum cleaners menacing your cats. We're looking at robot vehicles: Tesla's recent update that brought automated driving mode to its Model S cars; self-driving minibuses in the Netherlands; robot construction trucks in Florida; and self-driving super trucks in Nevada.
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Tesla Autopilot
https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/your-autopilot-has-arrived
Tesla Autopilot, which is mainly an assisted driving mode, was recently released to owner's of the Model S Tesla car via an over-the-air update. It uses radar, ultrasonic sensors, and electrically-connected systems to keep the car on the road and prevent collisions or driving off the road. You can read more at Wired.Com: "Tesla's Cars Now Drive Themselves, Kinda"
http://www.wired.com/2015/10/tesla-self-driving-over-air-update-live/
WEpod
http://wepods.nl (Dutch language)
Fully automated electric shuttles are now running in between a couple of towns and around a campus in the Netherlands. They run on regular roads, which makes them a step up from other automated public transportation which use dedicated roads and rails. More is in the Telegraph: "First driverless pods to travel public roads arrive in the Netherlands"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11879182/First-driverless-pods-to-travel-public-roads-arrive-in-the-Netherlands.html
Royal Truck and Equipment: Autonomous TMA Truck
http://www.royaltruckandequipment.com/atma
This truck is designed to be completely driverless. It can be controlled remotely, but is mainly designed to follow a lead truck. It's main purpose is to make work safer for road construction crews. More of the story can be found at Engadget: "Self-driving trucks to be used for highway construction in Florida"
http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/26/self-driving-truck-highway-construction-florida/
Daimler Freightliner Inspiration
http://www.freightlinerinspiration.com
The first robot freight truck is now operating in the United States: Freightliner Inspiration. Authorized in Nevada, the trucks onboard computer and sensors maintain legal speeds, keep the truck in its lane, ensure safe distances from other vehicles, and even moves aside for approaching emergency vehicles. Engadget featured this truck: "The first self-driving big rig licensed to operate in the US"
http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/05/daimler-autonomous-truck-nevada/