They use a combination of sensors such as cameras, lidar, radar, and ultrasonic sensors to gather information about their surroundings and advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to process that data and make decisions about how to navigate.

First, let's take a look at the different types of autonomous vehicles. Self-driving cars are the most well-known and widely discussed type of autonomous vehicles. 

These cars can be fully autonomous meaning that they do not require any human or semi-autonomous (they assist the driver but still require some human oversight).

Another type of autonomous vehicle is the drone. Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that can be controlled remotely or programmed to fly autonomously.

They are used for a wide range of applications from delivery services to search and rescue operations.

Finally, there are autonomous trains and buses. These vehicles use similar technology to self-driving cars and drones but are designed for use on rails or fixed routers.

They have the potential to increase the efficiency and safety of public transportation.

There are many companies that are leading the development of autonomous vehicles. 

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google's parent company), is considered a pioneer in self-driving car technology. They have been testing their autonomous cars on public roads since 2009 and have logged over 10 million miles of testing.

Tesla is another company that has made significant progress in the autonomous vehicle space. The company's vehicles have been equipped with the necessary hardware for full self-driving capabilities since October 2016.

Tesla has been gradually rolling out software updates to enable more autonomous features. Currently, Tesla vehicles with the full self-driving package can perform some autonomous driving tasks such as highway driving and parking but the cars still require human supervision.

Other companies working with autonomous vehicles include Uber, which is developing self-driving cars for its ride-hailing service, and General Motors, which acquired autonomous vehicle start-up Cruise Automation in 2016.

As with any new technology, there are potential benefits and drawbacks to the development of autonomous vehicles. One of the biggest benefits is increased safety on the road.

Autonomous vehicles are equipped with advanced sensors and cameras that can detect and react to potential hazards much faster than human drivers. This could reduce the number of accidents caused by human errors.

In addition to safety, autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve efficiency and reduce congestion on the roads. With self-driving cars, for example, traffic could flow more smoothly and quickly as the cars communicate with each other and optimize their routes.

This could also reduce the need for parking as cars could drop off passengers and continue on to park themselves.

On the other hand, there're also some disadvantages to the development of this technology. One concern is the loss of jobs in the transportation industry. As self-driving cars and trucks could make human drivers obsolete.

Privacy is another concern. Autonomous vehicles generate a huge amount of data including information about passengers' destinations, travel patterns, and even conversations inside the car. This data could be used for targeted advertising or even sold to third parties.

The future of autonomous vehicles is a topic that has been discussed for decades but only recently become a reality. From science fiction to real-world applications, autonomous vehicles are poised to revolutionize the way we travel, commute and conduct business.

This topic is also important to discuss because we need to know what we will be getting from autonomous vehicles and whether they will be beneficial for us or they will bring us only difficulties.

In the future of Autonomous vehicles, we will see significant changes in various fields, particularly in the job market. As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, the demand for human drivers will likely decrease which could have a significant impact on the millions of people who currently work as truck and taxi drivers.

However, it is also important to note that the development and maintenance of autonomous vehicles will require new types of jobs such as engineers and data analysts.

The future of autonomous vehicles seems to be exciting but it also comes with some challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is the need for regulations and laws to be put in place to govern the operation and testing of these vehicles.

Additionally, there are also concerns about the potential for hacking and cybersecurity threats as well as the ethical implications of autonomous vehicles making life-or-death decisions on the road.

Generally, the future of autonomous vehicles is exciting and promising with the potential to greatly improve transportation and mobility for all.

The autonomous vehicles field can be a game changer in the near future due to its advancements. From improving safety to increasing efficiency, these vehicles have the ability to revolutionize the way we travel.

While there are still challenges to be overcome such as the regulatory environment and public perception. The advancements made by companies like Waymo, Tesla, GM Cruise, and Uber have brought us closer to a future in which these vehicles are a common sight on our roads.

It is important to note that the future of autonomous vehicles is still uncertain and it is yet to be seen how it will shape our society and economy.