Autonomous Vehicles Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Transportation, Defense), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Autonomous Vehicles Market Size & Trends

The global autonomous vehicles market size was valued at 103.4 thousand units in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.8% from 2023 to 2030. Self-drive cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, are a key innovation in the automotive industry, with high growth potential, and act as a catalyst in the technological development of automobiles. Developing a supportive regulatory framework, government funding, and investment in digital infrastructure are expected to play a key role in positively affecting market growth during the forecast period.

The improvements in technology, such as adaptive algorithms, sensor processing, high-definition mapping, and enhanced infrastructure, are prompting various companies to expand the production of autonomous vehicles. The market has a wide range of products and systems that comprise the autonomous vehicle infrastructure. Autonomous cars enable independent mobility for non-drivers and people suffering from certain disabilities. It allows travelers to travel with more comfort and flexibility to read, rest, or even work while traveling, increasing their efficiency. It will also reduce paid drivers' costs for commercial vehicles and taxis. Other benefits, such as increased safety with reduced crash risks and increased road capacity with reduced costs, will significantly increase the adoption of these vehicles in the market.

Various leading players are working towards enhancing the experience of using autonomous vehicles with the help of new technologies. For instance, in 2019, the leading automobile company Volkswagen announced its collaboration with Ford to invest in AI vendor Argo AI. The partnership aimed to introduce autonomous vehicle technology in Europe and the US. The company decided to invest more than 4 billion USD through 2023 to develop and enhance its autonomous or self-driving services.

The autonomous car comprises numerous sensors, such as LiDAR and RADAR systems, working concurrently to carry out operations automatically without the help of drivers. By performing situational analysis, motion planning, and trajectory control, these sensors help in navigation. The rising safety concerns and advancements in automotive technologies have led governments of various countries to penetrate and accept autonomous vehicles, such as the U.S., Germany, China, and Japan. Such factors are anticipated to drive market growth in the forecast period.

Many government entities are taking various initiatives to launch autonomous vehicles in their countries. Additionally, the government has taken multiple initiatives to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles. For instance, in February 2018, the European Union (EU), the ENSEMBLE consortium, and the Netherlands scientific research organization TNO announced the implementation plan for multi-brand truck platooning on European roads. Multi-brand truck platooning will enable a single truck to connect with other trucks.

Such initiatives will improve the fuel economy, increase traffic capacity, and reduce the carbon-dioxide emissions in the EU. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced several measures and guidelines to ensure safety. In 2021, NHTSA issued a standard general order under which the manufacturers and the operators of autonomous vehicles will have to report any crashes they face to the agency.  

Application Insights

The transportation segment held the largest market share of 91.9% in 2022, due to the rising adoption of AVs in transportation. For instance, in December 2019, Baidu, a provider of Internet-related products and services, announced that it had secured 40 licenses that would enable the company to test driverless cars. In the transportation type segment, the industrial segment is estimated to grow at a high CAGR in the forecast period. This is due to technological advances and the rising acceptance of autonomous vehicles by various governments across the globe.

Furthermore, the enhanced technology offered by various companies also attracts customers to adopt autonomous vehicles for commercial use. Different leading companies are collaborating to provide hi-tech autonomous driving experiences. For instance, in March 2020, Toyota announced that it is working with TomTom and Denso to demonstrate fast, high-definition map-building methods for the road that will help improve autonomous vehicle driving and provide a safer experience.

The defense segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 65.0% during the forecast period. This is due to the rising number of initiatives across various regions, such as North America. For instance, in March 2020, Sikorsky and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced testing autonomous flight software on S-70 Black Hawk and S-76 commercial helicopters. Based on application, autonomous vehicles are categorized into transportation and defense.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for the largest market share of 44.5% in 2022. The growth across the mobility as a service sector is anticipated to provide impetus to the autonomous car market. North America is expected to witness significant growth owing to amendments in traffic regulations in the U.S. to incorporate autonomous cars on public roads. The regulation is slowly being adopted across all the states of the U.S. to make transportation fully autonomous.

For instance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), a traffic regulations body in the U.S., under its policy in 2013, allowed self-driving car testing in several states, including Nevada, California, Florida, Michigan, and Washington D.C.

On the other hand, South America is projected to demonstrate growth at the fastest CAGR of 75.3% over the forecast period. The region is witnessing significant advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. Key players in the automotive and technology sectors invest in research and development to bring autonomous vehicles to the market. These investments contribute to the market's growth by fueling technological innovations and improving the capabilities and safety of autonomous systems.

Europe is expected to emerge as a potentially lucrative market for adopting autonomous cars due to the growing consumer preference for using technologically advanced products. In addition to this, the government is taking various initiatives to enhance autonomous vehicles.

For instance, in August 2020 in the U.K., The Department of Transport (DFT) announced the launch of the Automated Lane-Keeping System (ALKS), which can automatically take control of vehicles running at low speeds. This technology will enable the driver to delegate driving to the vehicles, and the system will keep the vehicle moving along its lane. The U.K. government plans for self-driving vehicles to be in use by 2021 in the country, and it also has further plans to make the required changes to the regulations that can support the development of autonomous vehicles in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Leading players in the market stay ahead of the competition through collaborations and the development of innovative solutions. For instance, in August 2019, Audi announced its partnership with Daimler and BMW to create and develop an advanced driving system. These collaborations will help the companies develop highly functioning autonomous vehicles with autonomous driving and parking. Various leading companies collaborate to offer advanced technology, and such initiatives will substantially contribute to market growth.

Recent Developments

• In May 2023, Uber Technologies Inc. and Waymo LLC, the autonomous driving technology company Alphabet owns, entered a partnership. This alliance aims to bring self-driving vehicles into Uber's service offerings, with the potential to commence as early as this year. As part of the collaboration, a designated fleet of Waymo's vehicles will be seamlessly integrated into Uber's ride-hailing and food delivery operations within the Phoenix metropolitan area. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in integrating autonomous driving technology, offering promising prospects for both companies in the evolving mobility landscape.

• In April 2023, Tesla revealed that the electric vehicle (EV) company is expected to introduce its highly anticipated Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology later this year. This advancement will enhance Tesla's product offerings and generate substantial profits. Furthermore, implementing FSD is anticipated to help counterbalance the margin pressure from aggressive price reductions.

• In January 2023, NVIDIA Corporation and Foxconn, a Taiwanese technology company, partnered to collaborate on developing automated and autonomous vehicle platforms. As part of the agreement, Foxconn will manufacture electronic control units (ECUs) utilizing Nvidia's advanced Drive Orin system-on-a-chip (SOC) technology. These ECUs are intended for use in the worldwide automotive market. 

• In December 2022, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION launched an operating system, Arene, by 2025. Arene is designed to facilitate autonomous driving by monitoring safety systems, and traffic information and controlling essential car components such as the steering wheel and brakes. Toyota aims to position Arene as a comprehensive solution for autonomous driving, streamlining the integration of various systems and ensuring efficient and safe operations. The operating system will be crucial in managing and coordinating the complex technologies required for autonomous vehicles. 

Autonomous Vehicles Market Report Scope

Global Autonomous Vehicles Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global autonomous vehicles market based on application and region:

• Application Outlook (Volume in Thousand Units, 2021 - 2030)

  • Transportation

    • Industrial

    • Commercial

  • Defense

• Regional Outlook (Volume in Thousand Units, 2021 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE