Self-driving Cars

Varden Labs’ motto is: “Making Vehicles Drive Themselves”. 20-year-old Brandon Moak works at Varden Labs. Last month, he tested their new technology on the campus of Sacramento State University.

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• vehicle - a machine that is used to carry people or goods from one place to another
• autonomous - not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent
• fully autonomous - completely independent
• cautious - very careful about avoiding danger or risk
• towards - in the direction of something or someone
• goal - something that you are trying to do or achieve

First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.

1. How can students make use of the self-driving vehicle?


2. On the top of the roof is a LIDAR. What is it and what does it do?


3. Why did Brandon drive around campus with the vehicle the night before?


4. Brandons says: “We’re in a high traffic environment right now.” What does this mean?


5. What is Varden Labs’ goal according to Brandon?


6. Would you like a ride in a self-driving vehicle?

Extra listening assignment
Watch students take a test ride here.
1. How do the students respond to self-driving vehicle?
2. What change with regards to LIDAR was important for Varden Labs?

Extra reading assignment
Read the background article here.
1. Underline the words you do not know.
2. Look them up in the dictionary.