What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
driverless
Example
The driverless car was able to safely transport passengers to their destination. [driverless: adjective]
Example
The company is investing in driverless technology to improve transportation efficiency. [driverless: noun]
autonomous
Example
The autonomous drone was able to complete the mission without any human intervention. [autonomous: adjective]
Example
The robot vacuum cleaner is designed to be fully autonomous and can clean the house on its own. [autonomous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Autonomous is more commonly used than driverless in everyday language. Autonomous is a broader term that can be applied to a wider range of machines and systems, while driverless is a more specific term that is primarily used in the context of transportation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between driverless and autonomous?
Both driverless and autonomous are relatively new additions to the English language and are considered formal terms. However, autonomous is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, making it slightly less formal than driverless.