One of the biggest changes we may see in the next few decades is the widespread adoption of automated or driverless cars
Automated cars have great potential to become the main transportation method in the near future.
Even though there are several benefits related to the use of self-driving vehicles, there are also some issues related to this technology.
In this article, the pros and cons of self-driving cars are examined.
Pros of automated cars
Potential for more powerful vehicles
Because self-driving cars don’t require a driver, technicians could potentially rearrange where the various mechanical parts are stored. This may also lead to cars with more capable and powerful engines.
Dispensed traffic crowding
Much of the traffic congestion and overcrowding is a result of human discrepancies. For example:
- Not following traffic rules
- Driving protocols
- Lousy judgment
- Overruling proper vehicle guidelines
These controls are overtaken by the autonomous car module when one rides a self-driving car.
Better access and mode of transportation
For those who cannot or choose not to drive, automated cars could be a safe and reliable mode of transportation. Those with a disability or the elderly would be able to get into a self-driving car without putting others at risk.
Cities with limited public transit coverage would also benefit from self-driving cars. It can easily reach areas where infrastructure is lacking.
Environmentally friendly
Another significant factor is the environment. Autonomous cars will likely be electric rather than utilize internal combustion engines. Furthermore, the consistent speeds self-driving cars will be traveling will reduce constant braking and accelerating. These factors will all contribute to reducing emissions and becoming more environmentally sustainable.
Cons of automated cars
Vehicle Price
A lot of time, technology, and money is invested in building a driverless car. The complete autonomous vehicle operating with radars, sensors, and ion batteries will have an altogether different build and design compared to the regular models.
Adding these to its rolling on the technological front, there is absolutely no doubt to the fact that electric vehicles, whenever released in the market, will come with an astronomically high price tag, not affordable to all.
Job losses
Those who depend on driving to make a living may find their career obsolete with the introduction of self-driving cars. Those in the trucking industry, bus drivers, taxi drivers, will all need to find new employment.
Fast food delivery and Uber drivers would also find themselves replaced by automated cars.
Potential for technology to go wrong
Though successful programming lets us do incredible things, there is always the potential for some unexpected glitch to emerge. Even if a self-driving car performs flawlessly at first, it is possible for the programming that runs the cars to be updated by the car company with a fault string of code.
Errors like this cause annoyance on our computers and mobile devices, but could potentially cause car accidents with self-driving cars.
Criminal activity/hacking risks
Having a driverless car will trail along with the risk of illegal and criminal activities that involve hacking the computer systems running the self-driving car. This also includes the potential risk of reprogramming or cutting into the system and hampering users’ data and private access.
Future of automated cars
The future of automotive can be determined by the technological advancements that come our way in the future. Autonomous vehicles are going to develop and be released more and more by various auto companies.
Tesla is obviously the big company that offers a limited version of a self-driving vehicle if you decide to purchase an additional package when buying your vehicle. As time moves forward, more and more auto companies are going to integrate cars with this idea and transform life as we know it.
The future of automotive is not exactly clear, but what we do know is that currently, most cars cannot carry items that weigh a lot and pose capacity issues.
