Autonomous vehicles (or “self-driving cars”) was once a fantasy only seen in sci-fi shows and little kid’s drawings; but today, they are rapidly becoming a reality. There have been major advancements in technology over the last 20 years and the way we think about transportation is about to be revolutionized.
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But how do self-driving cars drive themselves?
Well, self-driving cars utilize a massive amount of sensors, cameras, radar, and artificial intelligence to get a map of the world around them, navigate it, and drive without human intervention. Companies like Waymo, General Motors, and – most famously – Tesla are at the forefront of this technology. They’ve all invested heavily in research and development; in fact, according to a report by McKinsey & Company, self-driving vehicles could, by 2030, account for up to 15% of auto sales worldwide [2].
Many people – young and old – see the potential benefits of AVs. The most short-term impact is an increase in the safety of driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s research found that human error is a factor in 94% of serious crashes [3]. Due to the fact AVs operate without distractions, impairments, or human error, they could drastically reduce accidents, saving lives and improving health outcomes. Moreover, as AVs could communicate with each other, they could significantly improve traffic efficiency by reducing congestion and optimizing driving patterns.
There’s also, of course, the ecological angle. Self-driving cars are often electronic, presenting an opportunity for substantial reductions in emissions. A study by the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD suggests that if managed properly, AVs could reduce energy consumption in urban transport by up to 50% [4].
However, the road to widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles is fraught with challenges. A significant hurdle is legislative and regulatory. Governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate this emerging technology. Establishing universal standards for safety and performance, adapting infrastructure, and updating road laws to accommodate Self-driving cars are complex tasks that require coordinated effort and time.
There’s also the concern about the economic impact, particularly job displacement in driving-related professions. 3.6 million Americans are truck drivers [5] and 5.6 million are Uber or Taxi drivers [6]; that’s 8.9 million workers, or 2.5% of the workforce that would become unemployed. While new jobs will be created in tech and maintenance, these will require a high level of education, proficiency in English, and other barriers that driving does not have. This will lead to a significant shift in the employment landscape that will hurt the most marginalized.
So while autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation, offering numerous benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and environmental impact, the path forward requires navigating technical, regulatory, ethical, and societal challenges. We have to steer this innovation towards a future where roads are safer, commutes are smoother, and the environmental footprint of transportation is minimized.
Sources:
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“The Future of Self Driving Cars: Top Companies and Challenges.” TechAhead, 6 Nov. 2023, www.techaheadcorp.com/blog/future-of-self-driving-cars.
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Deichmann, Johannes, et al. “Autonomous Driving’s Future: Convenient and Connected.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 6 Jan. 2023, www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/autonomous-drivings-future-convenient-and-connected.
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“NHTSA Estimates Traffic Fatalities Continued to Decline in the First Half of 2023.” NHTSA, 28 Sept. 2023, www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/2023-Q2-traffic-fatality-estimates#:~:text=An%20estimated%2019%2C515%20people%20died,and%20second%20quarters%20of%202023.
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Cazzola, Pierpaolo, and Philippe Crist. “Assessing the Environmental Performance of New Mobility.” Itf Oecd.org, 2020, www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/environmental-performance-new-mobility.pdf.
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“Number of Truckers at All-Time High.” Census.gov, 27 July 2022, www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/06/america-keeps-on-trucking.html.
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Campbell, Harry. “How Many Uber Drivers Are There?” The Rideshare Guy, 17 Mar. 2023, therideshareguy.com/how-many-uber-drivers-are-there.
