EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

AUTONOMOUS CAR

INTRODUCTION

Basically, an autonomous car is what we simply understand as a driver less cars or robot cars. This type of cars are equipped with a lot of sensors and mainly operates itself by using various technologies such as radars, Global Positioning System (GPS) and also computer vision. Nowadays, many companies are taking this approach to test out their robot cars on the road. This is like a research for their future development and also the use of possible new technologies on their upcoming vehicles.

Today, one of the popular experiments on this technology belongs to Google. Google's choice is to use Toyota Prius equipped with radar and GPS to aid them in order to understands real world driving environment how to navigate itself. All of the data will be securely stored in Google's storage server and give them information on road conditions, traffics and also obstacles on the road. (Shirley (2011), para. 3).

STRENGTHS

The main concern about this autonomous car is most probably is the safety of it. With no aid by the driver this car system may be faulty and cause crashing. However, a study on autonomous car shows that the adaptive technology on it may seems to reduce crashing. Vijayenthiran (2012) describes that the study made by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that the technology in the early autonomous cars are already prevent crashing. This due to the technology on the vehicle that have responsive braking system and also forward collision warning that keeps the vehicle on distance and prevent low speed front to rear collision.

In other source, Santo (2012) stated in his article that the California state have already given the green light to Google to further up their research on autonomous car. This makes that the state allows the use of this robot car on the road in the Californian roads. The Senator, Alex Padilla strongly urges that the use of this autonomous cars could reduce the high numbers of accidents by improving the safety of the roads and highways. He also adds that this is because human operated vehicles tends to have a huge error that cause accidents in the results.

The statement later then supported by the achievement of Google's autonomous car. The Google's car now targeting to be on self driving mode up to 1,000,000 miles. This major goal is being considered after their autonomous car done 140,000 miles of travelling without any incidents or accidents happen although travelling of just 1,000 miles without any driver assist. This proves that autonomous car is somewhat intelligent, safe and could be the shape of our future in the automotive world. (Read, 2011)

FUTURE IMPACTS

Autonomous car somewhat brings more advantages rather than disadvantages onto society. If we look on the bright side autonomous car would really be considered for the future mainly because it will lessen human deaths out of accidents on the roads. The number would be decreasing from year to year due to artificial intelligence that their car have to stop them for colliding each other. Neil (2012) said that the autopilot function on the autonomous car could help you in your driving. Computers won't get tired, sleepy and distracted therefore keeping you safe on the road. The car's response would be better than average human because of its effortless observation on the road.

Besides that, this technology could bring better mobility in the future. Before, cars are only meant for those who passed their driving license. But now, this personal mode of transportation could be widely opened to the society. Young and old people without driving license no longer have to wait for supervision to take them to the mall or hospitals. The disables will truly appreciates this technology because of it they now have the power to travel and be wherever they want easily with the help of this robot cars. (McElroy, 2012)

Furthermore, these technology could revolutionise the transportation industry and also help the cities to grow. Alpert (2010) with this technology, taxis and buses would be less dependant on human and might lower down the labour costs. Taxis and buses might drive on their own and transports passengers efficiently. The Economist (2012) would also agree on the use of autonomous car due to its efficient factor could shape the city. The next city would be denser due to smaller roads requires by the cars and space would plenty to be exploited for growth. The space would be ideal for bike lanes or parks to make the city more sustainable.

REFERENCE LIST

Alpert, D. (2010, October 15) What will autonomous cars means for cities. Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved from http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/7604/what-will-autonomous-cars-mean-for-cities/

The Economist (2012, September 1) Look, no hands. The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/21560989

McElroy, John. (2012, March 27) How autonomous car about to change our future. Autoblog. Retrieved from http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/how-autonomous-cars-are-about-to-change-our-future/

Neil, D. (2012, September 24) Who's behind the wheel? Nobody. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443524904577651552635911824.html

Read, R. (2011, October 21) Google's Next Goal: 1,000,000 miles in a self driving car. Motor Authority. Retrieved from http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1067619_googles-next-goal-1000000-miles-in-a-self-driving-car

Santo, M. (2012, September 1) Google's autonomous cars clear California hurdle. [Examiner.com]. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/google-s-autonomous-cars-clear-california-hurdle

Shirley, N. (2011, October 28) Google's autonomous car target: 1M accident-free miles. Left Lane News. Retrieved from http://www.leftlanenews.com/googles-autonomous-car-target-1m-accident-free-miles.html

Vijayenthiran, V. (2012, July 16) Study finds early autonomous car tech reducing crashes. Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/07/16/study-finds-early-autonomous-car-tech-already-reducing-crashes/