Some automakers are partnering with one another, while others are embracing the hands-free future on their own. Another route sees major automakers team with tech companies so they don't have to pour millions into developing all of the necessary components on their own. But that's still costly, and having to rely on someone else for parts isn't ideal. General Motors has thought about all of the available avenues and introduced a new patent to simplify things. What Are the Necessary Parts?

When it comes to autonomous vehicles, the majority of American drivers aren't too sure where to stand. Younger drivers that live in urban areas are more accepting of the technology, but older drivers that live in rural areas aren't crazy about the technology. The split in feeling towards driverless tech makes sense, but it's continuing to change. In March, the American Automobile Association (AAA) conducted a survey that found the majority of American drivers felt uncomfortable when it came to the idea of sharing the road with autonomous vehicles. A large margin of drivers, approximately 75 percent, stated that they were afraid of riding in an autonomous vehicle.

Boxbot, a startup focused on self-driving delivery vehicles, announced today that it has raised a $7.5 million round of seed funding. This new funding round was led by Artiman Ventures, and includes an investment from Toyota AI Ventures, a subsidiary of the Toyota Research Institute. Boxbot is working to address the "last-mile" problem in logistics, through a combination of robotics and autonomous systems.

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but autonomous vehicles are still some years away. Sure, there are some semi-autonomous cars on the road today, but fully-driverless cars that don't require steering wheels and pedals are well off in the distance. While it will be some time before you're able to buy a self-driving car, having a vehicle that's packed with artificial intelligence isn't too far away. Everyone might be focusing on making cars drive themselves, but artificial intelligence will play a large role in the future, as well. TechCrunch took a look at ways AI could be incorporated into cars and the list is a lengthy one with many possible avenues.