The
self-driving car may have seen as a futuristic joke in the 90’s, but in 2012,
we can see the cars as a reality. CNN
Money reports on Google’s progress in creating a self-driving car, where the “driver”
can be the passenger.
While
the driver must remain in front of the steering wheel, Google uses GPS, wheel
motion sensors, and radar in order to properly maneuver on surface streets and
freeways. The car has the ability to
recognize objects (people or cars) that are within striking range, and properly
adjust to avoid any accidents.
Peter
Valdes-Dapena believes that these cars will help save lives in the future. As of right now, some of the technology has
already been put into effect on normal cars for better safety measurement. As long as the product is fully tested,
Valdes-Dapena believes that wreckless driving may be a thing of the past.
I
believe that the self-driving car can protect lives, avoid speeding tickets,
and overall create a better environment on the road. But these thoughts go with some concern. First, what will be the cost of the
self-driving car? There seems to be no
doubt that having the ability to not have to drive will be invaluable, but will
customers be interested in paying a premium for driving? Many believe that they are qualified drivers
who can man the wheel, but there are always will be accidents with this
inherent mindset. Sure the person next
to us has gotten into an accident, but that will never happen to us. So why pay that premium for the self-driving
car?
Next,
we should consider the art of driving.
There are those out there who love to drive. I personally enjoy getting behind the wheel and
cruising on the highway. Will people
really care that much about safety to give up an activity they thoroughly enjoy
doing? I can’t see that happening. As long as people are manually driving, accidents
will still occur at alarming rates.
Another
note on personally driving can be seen in the sports industry. Formula One, NASCAR, and any other driving
sports can’t be happy about the self-driving car movement. NASCAR, a dying sport for numerous reasons,
can’t afford to tack on the fact that more and more people could be pushed away
from manually driving their car. The
reactions of the auto racing industry will be interesting to view as the
self-driving car continues to develop.
Lastly,
there is going to be some debate over safe driving in a self-driving car. Will the same rules apply to drinking and
driving? While the car may be able to
drive it, as stated in the article, a person still needs to be in the front
seat overseeing the actions of the vehicle.
How will law enforcement be able to determine the state of a person
driving a car that may seem to be driving rationally? There are so many variables that make me
nervous about levels of intoxication and the appropriate times to get into a
self-driving car. Only time will tell on
whether being able to distinguish intoxicated drivers and intoxicated drivers
in a self-driving car is actually different (or better).
Reference:
- Valdes-Dapena, Peter. “Why Google’s Self Driving Car May Save Lives”. CNN Money.
