The Pros and Cons of Releasing Autonomous Cars
Willautonomous carsbecome a reality? Many in the profession of automotive journalism seem to think so. In case you happen to be unfamiliar with this term, an autonomous car is essentially a vehicle that drives itself. Sitting behind a steering wheel, applying the gas, braking, using turn signals, maintaining a specific speed and, most importantly, keeping your eyes on your surroundings, would all become obsolete tasks if such vehicles make it to production.
The technology certainly exists, but is society ready for it? Before such a question can be answered, one must examine the advantages and disadvantages of living in a world of driverless cars.
Pros
Perhaps first and foremost, accidents caused by inattentive driving, fatigue, or worst of all, the affects of alcohol would be greatly reduced, if not eliminated, altogether. The robotic properties of the car would ensure that its passenger or passengers would arrive at their chosen destination on one piece, and on time. Automated features within the car would go into action to prevent crashes or even running off the road. Thus, there would be no issues with using cell phones, texting, looking for that favorite tune on your iPod, applying that last bit of makeup, brushing your teeth, waking up with a cup of coffee, or even slamming a few beers down before taking a trip. Any amount of multi-tasking could take place while traveling at the same time. If you wanted to catch a few more minutes of sleep on the way to that 7:00 a.m. meeting, that would pose no problems, either.
If a business owned fleet vehicles, travel time (and hence money) would be saved. As an example, deliveries made today by trucks require human drivers. They need food breaks and if traveling long distances, they also need to stop at motels en route. Save for some sort of automated fuel stops, a driverless semi-truck could continue to haul its load straight through without stopping. Even in more localized settings, deliveries of any number of products could be made faster and without the added insurance risks of property damage or personal injury caused by accidents.
Cons
In the opinion of this author, the disadvantages far outweigh any gains. To begin with, a world filled with autonomous vehicles would spell the end of decades of automotive enthusiasm. While the average Joe or Josephine may have a hard time comprehending such a concept, enthusiasts enjoy driving. There's just something special about situating yourself behind a steering wheel and being in total control of a machine that propels you from one place to another. The most rewarding experience involves the camaraderie of like-minded individuals in car clubs, shows, and other events. Such people will not willingly sacrifice a lifestyle that has become second-nature to them. To these types of individuals, a car is much more than a mere appliance that gets one from Point A to Point B.
Job losses would be catastrophic. As indicated above, professional drivers would no longer be needed. Thus, those who currently depend on driving buses, taxicabs, delivery vehicles, semi-trucks, and limousines for their livelihood would either find themselves in the unemployment line or be forced to be retrained in another line of work. By comparison, the resulting economic disaster would make the Great Depression of the 1930s seem like losing 50 cents in an uncooperative vending machine.
The initial costs of development of these types of cars would be enormous. If you think a $40,000 hybrid gas/electric car is overpriced, the first models of autonomous examples would likely command three times that amount. If special roadways with electronic sensors or tracks had to be constructed, this would likewise be extremely costly. Exactly how would this be financed?
Finally, one can reasonably assume that such automated cars would be dependent on computers and/or GPS satellites orbiting far above the earth. As most people should know, computers are quite vulnerable and prone to break down from time to time. And suppose some signal from that orbiting satellite got blocked. Would you like to be stuck five miles out from work in an inoperable vehicle? What if some malfunction occurs that causes two of these robotic vehicles to hit each other while going 45-50 miles per hour, and you have no idea you're about to collide with someone because you're too busy shaving? This is but one reason many people prefer to drive themselves.
Perhaps acompromisewould be in order here: If autonomous cars are indeed inevitable, those who still prefer to drive the old-fashioned way should still be allowed that choice. To many, the open highway will always beckon.
