I found this graph in this article:
http://www.fool.com/investing/genera...ld-of-sel.aspx
Company-------R&D Spend in 2013------R&D Spend in 2012------Estimated Target Date
Google__________$7.91 billion_____________$6.59 billion________2016-2018
General Motors___$7.2 billion______________$7.4 billion_________2020
Ford____________$6.4 billion______________$5.5 billion_________2025
Toyota Motors___$8.97 billion _____________$7.96 billion________2016
Tesla___________$231.98 million___________$273.98 million_____2015
It is interesting that Tesla has spent the least in R&D and yet still plans to be the first to offer an 'Autopilot' feature.
It should be noted that not all of these companies are working for the same goal. Google's definition of autonomous car is by far the most ambitious, while Tesla's is the least revolutionary. But I think any feature that is made available to the public is extremely important. The sooner the better, even if it isn't total autonomy. Wet the public's appetite and build their trust in technology. Autonomous cars won't happen all at once.