Technology in autonomous vehicles (AV) is developing at top speed. But major changes in transportation infrastructure will be required before smart cars fully replace traditional ones.

Rahul Singh, head of Autonomous Vehicle Software Development at Ford Motor Company, likened the emergence of AV in the early 21st century to the appearance of the Ford Model T in the early 20th. Roadways designed for horses and buggies had to change before cars took over.

“We have to think about how it’s all going to come together,” he said. “I don’t think this is going to happen over decades, but over a generation.”

Singh spoke at Carleton University’s Fall Leadership Luncheon on Nov. 14, 2019 in Kanata. This lunch theme lined up with one of the university’s major research strengths – Carleton is a Canadian leader in AV and its various applications, including real-time data analysis, wireless sensors and connectivity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and road and vehicle safety.

“At Carleton, we have over 125 researchers from four faculties and 13 university departments, schools and institutes who engage a broad spectrum of research to make the transportation of the future safer, more sustainable, more secure and more efficient,” said emcee Roberta Kramchynsky, volunteer president of the national capital chapter of the Carleton Alumni Association.