We have all heard that many companies are developing self-driving vehicles. In fact, self-driving semi trucks are already roaming Arizona’s I-10 highways including through Tucson.
The thought of a self-driving vehicle is a mixed one. Consider the advantages and disadvantages below:
Consumer benefits of auto-pilot vehicles:
1. Auto-pilot vehicles promises less auto accidents and safer driving conditions. The dangers posed by drunk drivers may be a thing a the past if auto-pilot vehicles becomes reality
2. If the consumer is blind or elderly with dementia or have slow reflexes, the auto-pilot car will be of great help to them. Even underaged kids can be shuttled from school to their home or to their orthodontic office for their regular adjustment appointments all while their parents are still at work!
3. The self-driving car can and will have speed control. This will eliminate speeding over the limit whether it is intentional or not. This is of great relief to parents who worry if their teenaged kids practice safe driving while driving to their favorite orthodontic office at Just Smile Orthodontics.
4. The consumer can do other productive or entertaining activities such as watching a video lecture, watch a movie, play tic tac toe with their kids in the car, read a book, SMS text, video-conferencing with business colleagues, etc. the potential productivity or entertainment possibilities are endless.
5. The self-driving car can look for a parking spot and can be summoned to pick you up at the orthodontic office entrance or any other location without the need of a valet or walking long distances if parking is limited.
6. Save on fuel due to the elimination of “hard acceleration” or “hard braking” with the acquisition of smooth driving program in the self-driving car.
7. Self-driving cars can be automated to space themselves out appropriately to improve flow of traffic reduce traffic jam.
Consumer loss regarding auto-pilot vehicles:
1. Loss of the thrill of driving. Some people are attached to the excitement of driving a sports car or an off road vehicle.
2. Loss of control of vehicle. What if there’s an obstacle the car can’t understand? Harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain/snow or black ice on road?
3. What if there’s a computer glitch? Can the car still be driven manually?
4. The consumer will have to learn how to operate the new auto-pilot technology.
5. Self-driving technology will probably cost more initially, so the consumer will part with more of their hard earned money.
The potential to lose out on the thrilling effect of driving a sports car, an off-road truck, or any performance cars will be a great one. People into these types of performance type vehicles will not give up control of their cars easily.
Psychologically, current drivers will consider letting the car drive itself a tremendous loss of control. This “loss of control” would be one of the most important reason why the adoption of this technology will fail regardless of the multitude of potential advantages.
The unproven technology has many unknowns such as: will it be able to see obstacles in the dark? Will it be able to drive in snow or black ice? Heavy rain? Fog? Will the car swerve to avoid hitting an obstacle or a human pedestrian thereby killing the passenger in the car? There are still so many questions that may scare the general public and giving up the comfort of their current car may be too much to handle.
The cost of giving up the status quo, in this case a manual car, is also quantifiable. It is likely the auto-pilot technology will initially be more expensive than the regular car and will be regarded as a “loss” to most people. Compared to the “promise” of the increased safety and convenience of auto-piloted cars, most people may regard the loss more compelling than the purported benefits. People in general like to think that they are better drivers than others, and likely may feel the same way and especially so with the unfamiliar Artificial Intelligence auto-piloted car!
The likelihood of self-driving cars in the future is probably high. But will most people become raving fans overnight? Perhaps it needs to be introduced piecemeal or gradually. When people are introduced one small piece of the technology slowly, they may gain confidence in the technology over time. For example, I like the auto-pilot technology which started with “cruise control” and then later improvised to become “adaptive cruise control” where the car can slow down or speed up depending on the vehicular inter-distance. Something else that attracted me to this technology is “auto-braking” or “Automatic Emergency Braking” which has also been introduced to several cars to help prevent front end collision. I can’t remember how many close calls I had experienced in the past where this technology would be put to good use.
Will the mass public buy into this technology for their private cars soon? It is too early to tell, but at least we can dream about a car magically appearing to pick up your kids up from school and shuttling them to their orthodontic braces adjustment appointments and then to their home all while you’re still at work!
In the meantime, feel free to text or call us (520) 889-1100 or message us with the yellow button upper right corner to request a free exam with Dr. Leo for orthodontic braces in Tucson to straighten your teeth! Our fees are very reasonable with most braces starting at $2997 with 0$ interest.