If Fred Flinstone Drove an Autonomous Vehicle

My 8-year-old niece thinks I can make anything fun.

Anything, that is, except semiconductors.

Since women make up only about 20-25% of the workforce in this $600 billion industry (and an even smaller percentage in leadership roles), and I’m at risk of losing my "Aunt who can make anything fun" title, I accept the challenge.

Let this post serve as my first (of what I presume will be many) attempts to “make semiconductors fun” as we explore autonomous vehicles, semiconductors, and Fred Flintstone.

To fully understand the impact of the AV industry, let’s start with a few projections:

• Experts predict fully autonomous vehicles (Level 5) will be commercially available by 2030. A Level 5 AV drives itself in all conditions, with no human intervention. (Not sure if this is scary, cool or a little bit of both.)

• Traffic accidents are expected to drop by 90%, thanks to autonomous vehicles eliminating human error.

• The autonomous vehicle market is projected to be worth a massive $557 billion by 2026.

So, how does an AV work, what role do semiconductors play, and how would it change Fred Flintstone’s driving experience?

For a vehicle to be considered autonomous, it must have a variety of functions including LIDAR, GPS, cameras, wheel encoders, computers, and radar.

Let’s go over each one:

1.     LIDAR technology uses laser beams to map out the environment around the vehicle in 3D by measuring distances to objects. The semiconductors in LIDAR power the lasers, detectors, and the system that processes all the data (kind of like the car's brain, turning sensor info into something the car can use). So, if a boulder suddenly rolls into Fred Flintstone’s path, LIDAR would spot it and help him avoid a crash.

2.     GPS uses satellites to track the vehicle’s location in real time, providing directions and route planning. The semiconductors in GPS receivers decode satellite signals and process positioning data for real-time navigation. With GPS finding the best route based on current traffic, Fred can easily get home on time for dinner with Wilma, avoiding traffic jams along the way.

3.     Cameras, which are semiconductor-based image sensors mounted on the vehicle, capture visual data such as the surrounding environment, road signs, other vehicles, and pedestrians. Since the cameras help the vehicle see what’s happening around it, Fred could react quickly if a pterodactyl suddenly flew in front of the car.

4.     Wheel encoders use semiconductors in their sensors and electronics to measure the rotation of the vehicle's wheels and provide data for speed, distance, and position. A wheel encoder would help Fred Flintstone track his speed and distance, ensuring he doesn’t speed or take detours, so he gets to work on time and avoids the wrath of his hot-tempered boss, Mr. Slate.

5.     The computer is the brain of the autonomous vehicle, using data from sensors like LIDAR, GPS, and cameras to decide how the vehicle should move. Semiconductor chips (CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs) in the vehicle’s computer process this data and run the software that makes those decisions. Fred could sit back, relax, and let the car do the driving, making his commute easier and less tiring. Plus, he’d likely get to work on time without the usual foot-powered delays!

6.     Radar detects objects around the vehicle, especially in low-visibility conditions like fog, rain, or at night. Semiconductor-based transmitters, receivers, and processors in radar systems enable object detection and distance measurement using radio waves. In bad weather, like heavy rain, radar helps the car spot things Fred might miss, like stalled cars or obstacles, keeping him safe and avoiding crashes.

To wrap it all up, the autonomous vehicle's integrated technology would free Fred Flintstone from having to focus on the manual task of driving his "foot-powered" car. LIDAR, GPS, cameras, wheel encoders, computers, and radar would work together to navigate, avoid obstacles, follow traffic rules, and adjust to road conditions, providing a safer, more convenient driving experience for Fred. He would be able to sit back, relax, and let the car do the work while he enjoys his journey through Bedrock!