Self-driving cars are likely to be commercially available sooner than you think. The major automobile companies are investing heavily in this area and Google’s self-driving car has clocked up over 144,000 miles without incident. California and Nevada in the USA already allow driverless cars and, with the number of productivity hours lost to traffic congestion being an issue all over the world, the likelihood is that many more countries will soon pass legislation to allow driverless cars on their roads.
Some may lament the demise of the traditional car and the skill of driving, but the advantage of cars controlled by sensors and computers is that they remove the human error that leads to the majority of accidents on the road. They would also help reduce congestion, as they would allow cars to drive closer to the car in front. The acceleration and deceleration would be much smoother, leading to better fuel efficiency. Drivers would also be able to relax or start work early during their commute, and customers may start demanding car interiors that give them more room for comfort, enjoyment and relaxation.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
