Remote assistance

Human operators who help autonomous vehicles resolve confusing situations remotely, usually by giving guidance rather than steering.

• When stuck, say at a blocked lane or a police officer directing traffic, the car stops safely and asks for help.
• The operator suggests a path or confirms an action; the car's own software still drives and checks for hazards.
• Remote driving, where a person steers over the network, is a different and riskier model because of delays and dropouts.
• How many vehicles each assistant covers, and how often cars ask, are key cost and autonomy figures that companies rarely disclose.