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Tech is all about change and the biggest changes ahead for you may be how you’ll be driving your car. The car you drive 10 years from now will be as different from your current car as the phone you use now is different from the phone you used 10 years ago.
Maybe more.
Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars will not only become a reality (they already are), they may become the standard. “We definitely have the technology for it now,” according to Andrew Poliak of automotive technology supplier QNX. “We expect self-driving cars to be a mainstream thing between 2020 and 2025.” AutoGuide, When Will Self-Driving Cars Really Arrive?
Imagine never having to drive a car again. Instead, the car will do the driving for you.
Just tell the car where you want to go and it gets you there, without you ever having to touch a steering wheel or gas pedal.
Tesla
Earlier this month, Tesla released a self-driving feature on some of its cars. With an over-the-air software update, Tesla Model S (September 2014 and later) and Model X got an autopilot mode that will let the car do some of the driving for you.
In autopilot mode the car can use its sensors to accelerate, steer, and brake at speeds over 18 mph/29kmh. You can override autopilot at any time by grabbing the wheel or touching the gas or brake pedal.
You are required to touch the steering wheel while the car is in autopilot mode. The car will stop if you keep your hands off the wheel for an extended period of time.
See, Wired, Tesla’s Cars Now Drive Themselves, Kinda
Here’s a video of one driver’s experience testing autopilot in the Model S:
Pros of Self-Driving Cars
Safety
According to The Auto Insurance Center, 81% of automobile crashes are caused by human error. Many lives could be saved if that number were reduced to zero.
Efficiency
You wouldn’t have to be worried about distracted driving, talking on the phone or missing a text. You could do other things, maybe productive or fun things, while getting to where you need to go.
See, How Talking to Tech Distracts Your Driving
With more efficient driving, traffic jams may be reduced. Computer software could maneuver cars more efficiently, reducing congestion during busy commuting hours.
Fewer collisions may occur, improving traffic flow as well as reducing delays, repairs and injuries.
Speed limits could be increased if driver error were eliminated. When self-driving cars prove they can handle higher speed limits, those limits could be raised.
People unable to drive due to disability, age, infirmity, or lack of driving skills could travel without relying on others or public transport.
Businesses could use self-driving cars to bring goods to your home. Order a pizza and have a self-driving car deliver it. Send the grocery store your shopping list and wait for the store’s self-driving car to bring your order to you.
Car Ownership
Car ownership could be eliminated. Self-driving cars could show up on your doorstep when summoned.
You could sign up for a service that allowed you a certain number of miles/kilometers, hours, or trips per month and have a car show up when and where you needed it. You could order small cars for single-rider short trips and larger cars for family outings.
See, Fast Company, Why Uber CEO Travis Kalanick Is Betting Big on Self-Driving Cars.
The Downsides to Self-Driving Cars
Cost
Self-Driving cars may be much more expensive, at least initially. The technology in these cars needs to be perfected which will be pricey at first.
Luxury cars such as Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volvo already have or are developing self-driving options in some of their vehicles. More affordable cars will take longer to offer the feature.
But the cost of technology usually drops over time so expect that self-driving cars could become much more affordable in the future, especially if insurance premiums drop.
Adoption Rate
For self-driving cars to become the standard, people have to trust them. What would it take for you to rely on a car that propels you down a highway at a rapid speed without your input?
Success stories have to abound, tales of tragic accidents involving self-driving cars have to be at a minimum for trust to be built.
Laws
In some jurisdictions, laws need to be changed to allow for self-driving cars.
Who is responsible when a self-driving car has a collision? Liability needs to be determined in case of an accident.
See, Forbes, Volvo Will Accept Liability For Its Self-Driving Cars
Poll
What do you think of self-driving cars? Do you think they are the future of driving? Vote in today’s Wonder of Tech poll:
Other Tech Advances in Driving [Infographic]
Want to know what else the future holds for driving? Check out this infographic:
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the future of driving? Are you excited for or scared of self-driving cars? What advances in driving are you looking forward to?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Voice of America Learning English
If you are learning English, or know someone who is, check out my article this week at Voice of America Learning English: Solid State Drive Gives New Life to Old Computer
* Car image courtesy of Wikipedia
* Infographic courtesy of C R Allen & Sons
It would take me awhile to get used to riding in a self driving car. It would be interesting for sure 🙂
Hi Tanya, Yes, I drove/rode in a Tesla self-driving car in autopilot pilot mode. You’re right, it does take some getting used to. You really have to trust that the car will drive you safely. The temptation to take over from the car is very strong.
i’m like car use and Driving like this
Hi Johir, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you like the idea of self-driving cars. I think people who like cars and driving will be the first to try out self-driving cars. I hope you get a chance to try one someday!
It will be interesting seeing car driving itself
Hi Akinola, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, seeing a car drive itself could be quite interesting.
Riding in one would be even more interesting!
Hi Carolyn,
I don’t want a self-drive car, but the technology is interesting. Cars that reverse park themselves are great. I would like a car that can just drive forward when I’m in traffic too. I would like to do something else while I wait rather than watch the traffic. Cruise control is useful too. I think these add-ons will be the way forward for some time. The prospect of a car just picking us up is one we have now with taxis, but they need to be cheaper and more efficient. I used to take cabs when I was sick to the hospital and once I had found a reliable company it was good. I think there are too many cars on the roads here. I had to drive through side streets last week to get to and from the hospital, the A roads were just jammed. Even the doctor was complaining about the traffic!
Hi Mike,
This reminds me when I first moved to the UK from the US. In the UK, the driver sits on the other side of the car so often I would look at a car driving in the UK and think it was a driverless car.
But I never actually saw a driverless car in the UK.
Actually it sounds like you do want a driverless car for when you’re stuck in traffic. Tesla’s Autopilot feature is like cruise control that also controls braking, acceleration and steering.
Traffic in the UK can certainly be challenging. At least you have wonderful roundabouts to keep cars going. I miss roundabouts!