Autonomous Vehicles

The future is here! Cars can drive themselves. Don't believe me? Click the video below. This technology will have one of the largest impacts on Americans since the invention of the internet. While people are becoming aware that the technology exists. It seems that most have no idea of the impacts it will have and could have if not implemented correctly in America.

Here is a list of companies that have already developed technology for self driving cars:

FORD

General Motors

Renault-Nissan Alliance

Daimler

Waymo

Volvo

Delphi

Hyundai Motor Group

PSA

Tesla

Toyota

Honda

Uber

nuTonomy

Baidu

Some Main Benefits of Autonomous Vehicles

Many of these companies have been interviewed to find the drive behind autonomous vehicles and here seem to the key benefits to cars that drive themselves:

Less Loss of Life / Improved Safety

It has been estimated that 94% of vehicle accidents are caused by human error. 35 people die every 15 minutes from traffic accidents. We could potentially save 94% of those lives!

Traffic Improvements

Some say as vehicles drive themselves the amount of human errors in lane merge procedures, un-necessary braking, missed turns and all the other mistakes we make while driving will be minimized generating an almost seamless network of moving vehicles on the road. By doing so traffic conditions will greatly be improved and large cities will see the greatest increase in traffic improvements. Read the negatives section to see the flip side to this prediction.

Efficiency / Improved Vehicle Wear

Companies that possess autonomous vehicles will see increased efficiency and predictability in fuel and energy consumption of vehicles along with maintenance and wear and tear. Self driving vehicles could lower costs of moving goods across the nation and the way companies operate could greatly change.

Lower Stress / Improved Traveling Experience

We can get the time back to be productive or enjoy ourselves when using self driving cars. Sit back, relax, take a nap, read a book, work on a project. The possibilities are endless.

Some Possible Negatives to Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles seem to have so many perks that some may have failed to realize the severity of implementing such technology in the American market. Here are some important issues that should be considered by the American people as this technology is being developed and implemented.

Increased Emissions & Worse Congestion

Some believe that self driving cars will make traffic and emissions worse because theses vehicles will be used much more than our current vehicles.

Loss of Jobs / Adverse Affects on the Economy

People's who's livelihood is centered around the transportation sector will be at risk of being replaced by an autonomous system. This could have ill effects job availability, the unemployment rate in America and the economy.

Cyber Security

A fully autonomous vehicle could be hacked and used as a weapon or to cause harm in acts of terrorism or other criminal crimes.

Loss of Hard Skills & Reliance on Technology

With autonomous vehicle's Americans will eventually become reliant on the technology and most will not be able to drive independently.