Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles (AVs), which is just a fancy name for types of self-driving transportations, is a vehicle that can operate and drive with little to no human manual input. The vehicles use technology to perceive their surrounding environment, to navigate, and to respond to ongoing traffic. The first ever self driving car was developed by Carnegie Mellon University in 1986. It was a van, specifically a Navlab 1. The overall idea of its purpose was aimed to allow traffic on public roads and highways more comfortable and safer to drive.
Since the development of the first self driving car, there have been major developments in the manufacturing of the AVs, and now companies such as Rivian, Zoox, GM, Waymo, and most popularly, Tesla, have begun to market them. With AI rapidly growing, as a result, self driving cars are becoming more of a consideration in industries, and individuals or families.
* Quick Fun Fact: In 2020, Waymo started to offer autonomous vehicle transportation - similar to Uber, just no human driver! Waymo operates in Arizona, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Texas!*
Autonomous Vehicles: Does The Good Outweigh The Bad?
There are many advantages to the development and uprising of autonomous vehicles, such as accessibility. Those who may have to currently rely on others for mobility, they will now have the opportunity to participate in driving in a self determined manner, as they please. For those who already own self driving cars and are unable to drive due to a disability, old age, or another factor, self driving cars would make it possible for them to participate in personal or employment activities. Another advantage of self driving cars: some people believe that they can improve the overall safety of the road. This would help reduce and prevent impaired driving, drowsy driving, etc.
As there are many advantages to the popularity and manufacturing of self driving cars, there are more disadvantages. Just like any piece of technology, especially rapid advancing technology, there is always a high chance of malfunction and technical development issues. A single error in a self driving car’s software can significantly and negatively affect traffic accidents, and owners. With an autonomous vehicle, the system must be highly sophisticated, otherwise it would not be reliable. Also, human drivers are able to provide and interpret nonverbal cues such as hand signals from other cars or pedestrians that a self driving car may not be fully able to pick up on.
*Below is a picture of the aftermath of a fatal car accident on October 6, 2023, where the Tesla Model 3 autopilot failed to recognize a semi truck in the middle of the road. The Tesla went under the truck, shedding the roof of the car, and unfortunately killing Jeremy Banner*
According to Statista, a study conducted by Morning Consult in January and March found that people are becoming increasingly more worried and distrusting with autonomous driving. The study was based on two polls with about 2,000 US adults. From January 11-16, 36% of individuals found autonomous driving less safe than manual driving systems, and by March 29-April 1, the percentage increased by 14%. Also, with weather and constant environmental changes and challenges, autonomous driving would struggle more - or if not, the same amount - as manually driving car systems. With only sensors being responsible for decision making about fog, snow, or rain, it is hard to tell. Also, if autonomous vehicles were to take over human driving cars, it would displace hundreds of jobs in industries such as trucking companies, taxi services, and delivery services. With it being so accessible and accommodating, more people would use them therefore creating an increase of energy use, worsen air pollution, and other negative environmental effects.
The future of autonomous vehicles is rapidly approaching. Artificial Intelligence is also expected to make self-driving cars later, more efficient, and much more widely available in the future. AI powered self driving cars can reduce human caused accidents such as distracted driving, tired driving, or impaired driving and even speeding. AI can help the vehicle detect and respond to potential dangers, faster than humans may be able to. In conclusion, autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly more popular with the rapid advancements of AI. Its impact can both positively and negatively affect our society and generation. Which leaves me with one question…
Where do you stand?
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