Technology can’t stop advances and thanks to many of them, it has already surpassed us. The past century was very futuristic to think about cellphones, computers, robots, drones, etc., in this era is happening, something tangible. Of course, mobility can’t step behind. Year after year, the automotive industry offers great technological innovations, in both, mechanic and comfort, so cars were developed… As electric ones with better performance, hybrids and now autonomous vehicles. The question is… Would you trust in a transport service without human driver?
In order to create an opinion, we will present you some pros and cons of this type of cars:
Pros and Cons of Autonomous Vehicles:
1. Greater Safety:
- Accident Reduction: According with Statista, autonomous vehicles may reduce traffic accidents up to 90%.
- Elimination of the Human Factor: The human mistakes, as the driving distraction or fatigue are main accident causes. Self-driving vehicles get rid of this factor, without distractions and tiredness.
2. Greater Traffic Efficiency:
- Traffic Jam Decrease: The self-driving vehicles can communicate and coordinate among them to optimize the traffic flow. This may reduce traffic jams to a 40%, according with TomTom.
- Improve Journey Time: Self-driving vehicles can take more efficient routes to avoid obstacles, reducing journey time.
3. More Accessibility:
- Mobility for People with Disabilities: Self-driving vehicles can provide mobility to people that can’t drive by themselves, as people with physical disabilities, people with low vision or people who are blind.
- A More Efficient Public Transport: Autonomous vehicles can be used to create a more efficient and flexible public transport.
4. Less Environmental Impact:
- Reduction of Emissions: Autonomous or self-driving vehicles can be more efficient in the fuel consumption, reducing CO2 emissions.
- Electric Vehicles Development: The autonomous vehicles are ideal to adopt electric vehicles, due optimize charge and battery usage.
5. New Business Models:
- Enhancing New Applications: The self-driving vehicles can generate new applications and services, as the last mile delivery or the car rental by the minute.
- Job Creation: The industry of autonomous vehicles will create new jobs in areas as engineering, programming and maintenance.
Cons of Autonomous Vehicles:
1. Cyber Security:
- Hacking Risk: Self driving vehicles are susceptible to hacks that may control to vehicle.
- Lack of Legislation: Exists a legal emptiness according to the responsibility in case of accidents with autonomous vehicles.
2. High Cost:
- Costly Technology: For the moment, the development and production of autonomous vehicles is expensive.
- Labor Market Impact: The adoption of self-driving vehicles may affect the jobs of professional drivers.
3. Public Mistrust:
- Lack of Acceptation: Some people aren’t willing to give the vehicle control to a machine.
- Ethical Concerns: Exists some ethical concerns about the decision making of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations.
4. Impact in Cities:
- Infrastructure Need: It will be necessary to adapt the urban infrastructure for self-driving vehicles, as signage and traffic signs.
- Loss of Parking Space: Autonomous vehicles could reduce the need of parking space, and affect cities.
5. Effect on Automotive Industry:
- Fall in car sales: The adoption of self-driving vehicles may reduce the sales of the traditional ones.
- Changes on automotive industry: The automotive industry will have to adapt to the new era of autonomous vehicles.
Before making a decision, is important to know the levels of vehicle autonomy:
- Level 0: No Driving Automation
Driver has the total control of the vehicle in every moment.
- Level 1: Driver Assistance
Vehicle can assist driver with tasks as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
- Level 2: Partial Automation
Vehicle control the direction, speed and braking in certain aspects. Driver must be aware and ready to control the vehicle in any moment.
- Level 3: Conditional Automation
Vehicle drives in certain conditions, as highways or slow traffic.
- Level 4: High Automation
Vehicle drives in most of the aspects. Human driver can divert attention from vehicle during long periods of time.
- Level 5: Full Automation
Vehicle drives in all aspects. It doesn’t require human driver.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) informs that every year 1.3 million of deaths are caused by traffic accidents; considered as the main death cause between children, and young people from 5 to 29 years old.
Reported data from Waymo, a self-driving vehicle service mentions that received only 20 reports of low hazard incidents. Now you read the given information… Would you trust in a service transport without human driver?
