self-driving
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self-driving
Describes a vehicle that is able to steer and move autonomously without human intervention.
Die Technologie für selbstfahrende Autos wird immer weiter verbessert.
The technology for self-driving cars is being improved more and more.
self-propelled
Describes a machine or vehicle that has its own drive system and does not need to be pulled or pushed.
Ein selbstfahrender Rasenmäher erleichtert die Gartenarbeit erheblich.
A self-propelled lawn mower makes gardening much easier.
The word is a compound of 'selbst' (self) and 'fahrend', the present participle of 'fahren' (to drive/travel). So it literally means that something drives or moves by itself.
Ein selbstfahrendes System übernimmt die Steuerung des Zuges.
A self-driving system takes over control of the train.
The exact meaning depends on the context. In connection with high-tech things like cars or buses, 'selbstfahrend' means autonomous. With simpler devices like lawn mowers or agricultural machines, it only means that they have their own motor and do not need to be pushed.
Forscher testen selbstfahrende Busse im Stadtverkehr.
Researchers are testing self-driving buses in city traffic.
In the autonomous meaning, the word is almost always combined with vehicles. The most common collocations are 'selbstfahrendes Auto' (self-driving car), 'selbstfahrender Bus' (self-driving bus), or 'selbstfahrender LKW' (self-driving truck).
Viele Firmen investieren in die Entwicklung selbstfahrender LKW.
Many companies are investing in the development of self-driving trucks.
autonomous
Autonom and selbstfahrend can both describe a vehicle that steers itself without human intervention. Autonom emphasizes this independent control, while selbstfahrend can also simply mean that a vehicle has its own drive system. For reliable autonomous control, autonom is the better choice; for merely moving under its own power, selbstfahrend can also be used.
Der selbstfahrende Rasenmäher fährt mit eigenem Motor, wird aber per Fernbedienung gesteuert.
The self-driving lawn mower moves using its own motor but is controlled by remote control.
Der autonome Bus fährt die Strecke ohne menschliches Eingreifen.
The autonomous bus travels the route without human intervention.
