Driverless cars are no longer just a prop to be seen in the latest futuristic blockbusters.

These autonomous cars are vehicles that have the ability to drive using electronics that are installed to help it navigate its surroundings and process information.

According to the Toronto Star, the first driverless cars will be out on the road for testing in Ontario early next year.

Related: The pros and cons of self-driving cars

Computer engineering senior Angelo Stekardis is someone who is well versed in this advancement of automotive technology.

Stekardis has had two internships working with companies that are conducting research into driverless cars.

“This has the ability to save a lot of lives… by implementing this technology,” Stekardis said.

Semi-Autonomous car models have been proven to crash less frequently than human-operated drivers, which makes the push to start testing autonomous vehicles greater, according to Stekardis. 

When asked about why there is an increased interest in driverless cars, Stekardis said there is a “countless number of safety benefits.”

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81 percent of car crashes are the result of human error, but a self-driving car does not completely eliminate the likelihood of a car collision, according to a report from the Auto Insurance Center.  

“It is understandable to be skeptical of new technology, but there are numerous advantages to self-driving cars that can make them incredibly safe,” Stekardis said. “Recent testing shows that autonomous vehicles are, on average, part of fewer accidents than cars driven by humans.”

Regardless of safety concerns, fully autonomous cars are projected to be on the road by 2021 from car companies like Ford and BMW.