As effective as self-driving technology is getting, there remains one major hurdle to get across: inclement weather. But one group may have figured it out. The Singapore Center for Excellence for Testing and Research of AVs, or CETRAN for short, has developed a system for simulating monsoons.

The CETRAN headquarters is equipped to recreate some of the harshest conditions in a controlled environment, including giant shower heads over their test roads. This allows autonomous car companies to test their technology in a reliable way and without actual risk or danger.

Rain is a common issue with self-driving sensors. The falling rain distorts radar waves and optical lasers, making it hard for the cars to see the world around them. It makes it harder for humans too, but we can handle it better. But thanks to CETRAN, impressive progress is being made. By using designated sections of the track, car companies can work little by little toward making the technology familiar with the conditions and use what information is available to them to navigate.

This doesn't solve the issue of the other weather conditions, such as winter storms and snow, but CETRAN is wanting to work on that as well. They're hoping to coordinate with test facilities in places like Michigan and Sweden to make that happen, but have no solid plans at this time.