Fully self-driving cars can be a reality by 2019. Here’s how

Believe it or not, self-driving cars are going to be a reality sooner than you thought. How soon? Well, how does 2019 sound?

Israel-based autopilot components manufacturer Mobileye NV has signed agreements with two auto companies to offer systems for fully autonomous cars in 2019. These agreements offer a clear deadline as to when you might see auto manufacturers start manufacturing self-driving cars.

As of now, several Silicon Valley biggies including Google are working to develop autonomous-vehicle technology from scratch. However, Mobileye is widely considered as the segment leader given its market-share for components needed to offer self-driving features.

In an interview with WSJ, Mobileye Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Amnon Shashua said that they’re ‘fully committed’ to make this work by 2019, and that these are ‘real programs’ we’re talking about. However, Shashua declined to name the two companies they’re working with.

Interestingly, what he did say is that General Motors, BMW and Volkswagen are among five companies who’ll buy self-driving systems from them in 2018. The 2019 deal will allow these features to work in all conditions.

As auto-makers are starting to take semiautonomous features seriously, Mobileye has offered components and software like emergency-brake assist or lane-departure prevention. These are widely accepted to form the base for the future of self-driving automobiles.

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