Scientist and researchers have created cars that do not
require a human being to be present in order to drive the car with the latest
technological advancements. From Audi to Ford to Lexus, the world's largest car
companies have start to follow Google’s lead in an effort to manufacture cars
smart enough to drive themselves. Technology enthusiasts and car lovers
embraced the idea of self-driving cars. This is because the idea of having
driverless cars is exciting. Robot cars are already street-legality in
California, Nevada, and Florida. Self-driving car relies on a combination of
sensors (including radar, lasers, GPS, and a car-mounted camera) to get around.
They figure out where and what's around through using information from sensors
and maps. Video cameras can detect traffic signs and lights as well as look out
for pedestrians, cyclists, and obstacles. Computers use information from the
sensors and cameras to manipulate the steering, acceleration, and braking.
Self-driving cars have sparked strong emotions in people. Some are happy
about the prospect of never having to bother about navigating a traffic
highway, while others fear the loss of control when a computer takes over the
function of driving the car. The self-driving car performs better than human
drivers in many aspects. Unlike a human, they are impervious to distraction,
react almost instantaneously and continuously monitor all sides of the vehicle.
Self-driving cars address many of the safety and travel efficiency objections.
However, there is also some downsides and upside to self-driving cars that can
both be risky, good or dangerous depending on how you want to look at it.
Self-driving cars: the good ideas
The good idea about self-driving cars is that they would totally eliminate
human error that is; no accidents from drunkenness, texting, sleepiness or even
momentary inattention. Driverless cars have the potential to drastically reduce
road accidents once the current technology issues are resolved. Self-driving
cars also have another advantage over human drivers: they don’t get distracted,
angry or tired. These cars also offer mobility for people with health issues
like impaired vision which prevent them from driving standard cars.
Self-driving cars might put more aging people on the roads because they won’t
be hindered so much with the disabilities that come with age. The sensors in
self-driving cars allow vehicles to ride closer together, therefore allowing
more cars on the road and reduce both car crashes and traffic congestion.
Self-driving cars will be able to travel at a much higher speed without having
concerns about hitting another car.
Since self-driving cars are run by computers, there are concerns of
software being reliable enough and privacy being protected enough. The basics
are simple; stop at red lights, stay in your lane and don't run into stuff. The
more driverless cars are on the road, the better driving conditions will get.
People might be more adapted to use their cars and less willing to use public
transit, planes or trains because they could be relaxing or working in comfort
while they ride is a clear potential benefit of having an autonomous car. These
fully automated cars could potentially be safer than regular cars and might add
various efficiencies to our roads.
Self-driving cars: the bad ideas
Self- driving cars sounds like a safe, innovative, and evolution idea but
there are major concerns that must not be ignored; they seem to do pretty well
on their own because they still require human supervision. Additionally, a
self-driving cars ability to get where it needs to go depends on a highly
detailed, error-free map of roads and signals. The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) feels that the technology is far from ready. In
fact, they recently called for a ban on the use of self-driving cars for
purposes other than testing until they have fully conducted a thorough study.
Self- driving car has shift human error from the driving to the
programming and design. Although these cars are predicted to reduce road
accident behind the wheel but do they worth giving up our human ability to make
decisions for ourselves and take responsibility for the way we travel? The sign
of laziness that goes hand-in-hand with these self-driving cars cannot be
ignored. The software is prone to some few errors, so no matter how flawless it
may seem to be when this error occurs, who is to hold accountable? In the event
of a situation where a police officer is directing traffic, will self-driving
cars consistently and accurately understand human signals, and negotiate
accordingly? And if they don’t understand who is responsible? Another downside
to the robot cars is that they can put people out of a job. Yes, there will
still be a person sitting in the front, but when that person is no longer
needed, then what will they do?
Final Thought
The success of self-driving car also known as autonomous car depends on
how it is introduced into the marketplace, and how consumers and businesses
respond. Google's efforts to put an autonomous car on the roads look like they
are going to be successful. The so-called “self-driving car” is far more than
science fiction today, and it is now becoming more of a reality every day.
Despite the enormous amount of work to be done concerning the efficiency and
functioning of these cars they have already begun to make an appearance in our
everyday lives as features of the modern car so when you're out driving and you
see a car with no driver, don't be surprised. No matter what side you support
in the self-driving cars safety debate, even those who doubt still agree that
this technology is the way of the future.
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