A sleek, futuristic autonomous vehicle gliding through a sunlit urban landscape, surrounded by lush greenery and bustling pedestrians, capturing the essence of innovation and freedom

National Autonomous Vehicle Day celebrates the advancement of self-driving vehicles and recognizes the potential opportunities in autonomous vehicle technology. This day honors the innovative developments in transportation that are shaping our future mobility.

Quick Facts

When is it?: May 31st annually
Tagged as: Technology and Innovation Day
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalAutonomousVehicleDay
When was it founded?: 2017
Who founded it?: Emerging Prairie and Marlo Anderson

History of the Day

The concept of autonomous vehicles dates back to 1920 when the term ‘autonomous’ was first coined, derived from Greek words ‘auto’ (self) and ‘nomos’ (law). The day was established to recognize the growing importance of self-driving technology and its potential impact on society.

Timeline

  • 1920: Term ‘autonomous’ coined
  • 1958: GM’s Chevy introduces first guided system
  • 1980s: Serious research begins in autonomous technology
  • 1995: DARPA initiates Grand Challenge
  • 2015: Google operates first prototype
  • 2017: First National Autonomous Vehicle Day celebrated

Dates by Next Year

YearMonth and DateDay
2025May 31Saturday
2026May 31Sunday
2027May 31Monday

How It’s Observed

People celebrate by learning about autonomous vehicle technology, sharing experiences with self-driving cars, and discussing the future of transportation through social media and educational events.

Fun Facts About Autonomous Vehicles

  • Self-driving cars create 3D road maps for navigation
  • By 2035, experts predict 90% of cars could be autonomous
  • Google’s self-driving cars have had minimal accidents
  • Autonomous vehicles could reduce accidents by 90%
  • They may help reduce emissions by 80%
  • Traffic congestion could decrease by 40%

Quiz

  1. When was the first autonomous vehicle day celebrated?
  2. What percentage of accidents could be reduced by autonomous vehicles?
  3. Who founded this national day?
    -(Answers: 2017, 90%, Emerging Prairie and Marlo Anderson)

FAQs

Q: Why was this day created?
A: To celebrate advances in autonomous vehicle technology and promote future opportunities.

Q: Is it internationally celebrated?
A: While primarily observed in the United States, the day has global recognition.

Related Days

  • National Save Your Hearing Day
  • National Speak in Sentences Day
  • National Technology Day
  • World Engineering Day