Autonomous vehicles

What are autonomous vehicles and how do they work?

An autonomous vehicle, also known as a driverless car, is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input.

Using a variety of techniques to detect their surroundings, such as GPS, laser and computer vision, autonomous cars use advanced control systems to interpret sensory information to identify the appropriate path, relevant signage and steer clear of obstacles.

Pros

Less Traffic

Most of the time we find traffic is congested due car accidents, slow drivers or people trying to park in a spot that is almost impossible. With electronic systems showing a faster reaction time than the human brain, traffic congestion could be a thing of the past.

Reduced Traffic Accidents

With a recent study finding 81 percent of all traffic accidents are caused by human error, it’s predicted that traffic accidents and the injuries, damages and costs involved would significantly reduce.

Energy Efficiency

Living greener is becoming increasingly important. Each time we start the car, accelerate or hit the brakes, we are using more petrol than necessary. According to the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Washington, robots cold reduce fuel consumption anywhere between 4 to 25 percent.

Cons

Less Drivers Could Mean Less Work

With the introduction of autonomous cars, many are wondering what will happen to those who drive a vehicle for a living such as taxi drivers, truck drivers or Uber drivers. A truck driver is listed as being one of the most prevalent jobs in more than 10 countries and provides work to around 3.5 million people globally.

Costs At The Early Stages

When most new pieces of tech are introduced, they are expensive and out of reach for the majority of people. However, like most expensive things, we will see the price depreciate over time and the product become more widely available. This will halt the introduction of autonomous vehicles until they are widely affordable.

Free Will

From when we get into the car, we will have almost no control over the vehicle. We will be unable to decide the speed at which we drive, use gears on certain terrain or drive at the personal style we prefer. With the car controlling the entire operation the passenger will have no responsibility at all.