Self-Driving Cars Teach-Out from Coursera

The drive toward self-driving cars continues to accelerate at an unprecedented pace and the promise of more accessible, lower-cost, and safer mobility options has electrified a broad discussion about the future of mobility and transportation around the world. Automated and driverless vehicles, sometimes known as autonomous vehicles, are a shining star in our collective digital futures as they will play an integral role in how we move people and goods from point A to point B. Despite this excitement, there are many challenges to overcome and many questions to be asked about this technology and how it will impact communities around the world. This Teach-Out was originally developed in 2019 in partnership with Mcity, the University of Michiganâ€™s public-private partnership devoted to advancing the development of connected and automated vehicles. For this relaunch, Siemens Digital Industries Software contributed to new and updated content related to the evolving technology of connected and automated vehicles, workforce development, and smart cities. In this Teach-Out, you will hear leading experts in technology, law, accessibility and equity, and societal change. The Teach-Out will address the following questions: What is a self-driving car? What is an automated or driverless vehicle? What are the major legal questions? What can we do to prepare? How do we build trust in this new technology? How are we testing this technology and when can we expect to see it on the roads? How is this going to change our modern society? How are people thinking about accessibility and equity? How do we train the next generation workforce for self-driving cars? What is a "smart city"?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of self-driving cars and their benefits, including increased accessibility, reduced costs, and enhanced safety

Taught by experts from industry and academia, including faculty from the University of Michigan and Siemens Digital Industries Software

Covers legal, ethical, and societal implications of self-driving cars, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the technology's impact

Partners with Mcity, the University of Michigan's public-private partnership focused on developing connected and automated vehicles, providing access to cutting-edge research and industry insights

May require background knowledge in technology or related fields to fully grasp the technical concepts discussed

Introduces advanced concepts related to smart cities and workforce development in the context of self-driving cars, expanding the scope of the course beyond technical aspects

Reviews summary

Self-driving cars demystified

This course is a great opportunity to learn about self-driving cars and their potential impact on our society. The course is well-organized and engaging, and the instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. Highly recommended!

Practical examples of self-driving car technology.

"This course raised some important questions about self-driving cars and gave some real-world examples of how the technology is being used today."

Makes you think about the future of transportation.

"This course made me think about the future of transportation and how self-driving cars could impact our lives."

Knowledgeable and passionate instructors.

"I really enjoyed this course. The instructors were very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject."

Activities

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Career center

Learners who complete Self-Driving Cars Teach-Out will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers design transportation networks, including plans for automated and self-driving vehicles. They may determine the most suitable infrastructure components and systems for autonomous vehicle deployment, stay abreast of the latest technologies, and monitor the performance of deployed vehicles. Understanding the nuances of self-driving cars from this course could be a valuable piece of your day-to-day work as a Transportation Engineer.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the software that powers self-driving cars. This course will equip you with the skills to work on cutting-edge software systems for autonomous vehicles, giving you an advantage in this highly specialized field.

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Computer Vision Scientist

Computer Vision Scientists are involved in developing technologies that allow computers to interpret visual data, a fundamental capability for self-driving cars. This course can help you build a solid foundation in the principles of computer vision, enabling you to contribute to the development of reliable and safe self-driving systems.

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Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineers are involved in designing and developing various aspects of vehicles, which today includes the integration of sophisticated technologies that enable automated and self-driving functions. By taking this course, you will gain a valuable understanding of the complexities of self-driving car technology, a skillset that is in high demand within Automotive Engineering.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are involved in the design, analysis, and manufacture of mechanical systems, including those in self-driving cars. By taking this course, you will gain a valuable understanding of the mechanical components and systems used in autonomous vehicles, enhancing your ability to contribute to their development and deployment.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists play a vital role in analyzing and interpreting the vast amounts of data generated by self-driving cars. This course can provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the techniques and tools used in data science, preparing you to handle the challenges of managing and extracting insights from autonomous vehicle data.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policies, including those related to self-driving cars. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the policymaking process and its application to emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, preparing you to navigate the complexities of policy development in this rapidly evolving field.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are involved in designing and developing the electrical and electronic systems of vehicles, which is increasingly important as self-driving cars rely on complex sensor systems and actuators. The knowledge gained from this course will provide you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electrical engineering as applied to self-driving vehicles.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners create the plans and regulations that guide the development and use of land in urban areas. These plans include considerations for the integration of self-driving vehicles, such as designated lanes, charging stations, and other infrastructure. The insights gained from this course can empower you to make informed decisions about how to accommodate self-driving cars in your urban planning projects.

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Technology Consultant

Technology Consultants advise businesses and organizations on the implementation and use of technology solutions, including self-driving vehicles. By completing this course, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of self-driving car technology and its potential impact on various industries. This knowledge will enable you to provide valuable insights and guidance to clients looking to leverage autonomous vehicles for their operations.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization, including the deployment and management of self-driving vehicles. This course will provide you with a holistic view of the operational challenges and opportunities associated with autonomous vehicles, equipping you to effectively manage and optimize their use in your organization.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products and services, including self-driving cars. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage the development, testing, and deployment of autonomous vehicles, giving you a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving industry.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing strategies to promote products and services, including self-driving cars. This course will provide you with an understanding of the unique marketing challenges and opportunities associated with autonomous vehicles, enabling you to create effective marketing campaigns that reach and engage potential customers in this growing market.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead sales teams and are responsible for generating revenue from products and services, including self-driving cars. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to effectively sell and promote autonomous vehicles, leveraging your understanding of the technology and its potential benefits to drive sales success.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and develop solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. This course will provide you with the skills to analyze the business implications of self-driving cars and develop strategies for organizations to leverage this technology to achieve their business goals.

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