Are we really doomed to the reality of self-driving cars?

I can remember when I first learnt to drive. Like most people, I was really nervous and didn’t have a clue at what I was doing. In those days you could get your license in an automatic car but learn to drive a manual (stick) car at your own pace and time thereafter. That feeling of exhilaration at passing your driving test (even though my driving instructor thought I would fail) and being allowed on the open road, there is nothing like it. It’s definitely one of those things that goes onto the list of ‘firsts’ in life.

But what will it mean for future generations with self driving cars? Will they get the same sort of excitement and thrill of learning to drive? That feeling of freedom now that you have your drivers license and can explore the world?

Are we really doomed to the reality of self-driving cars and losing a part of ourselves in the process?

The truth about driving

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for innovation. When it comes to driving and my mother for instance, I will be the first one in line to sign her up to a self-driving car. My Mum would be one of the 30–50% of drivers I think that shouldn’t be allowed to drive. She is too easily distracted and gets very flustered around other cars and trucks. Yes, exactly. That is driving. So you can understand why I will be signing her up for a self-driving car.

To me, driving is a skill far beyond the capabilities of most people. Driving at speed (legally) and negotiating obstacles and other road users and hazards is something you either learn or dread. Cars have more technology and gadgets in them than the Apollo 11 space capsule did when it went to the moon in 1969.

And when you really look at it, we (in Australia) are not taught how to drive. We don’t use simulators before hitting the road. Instead we learn to steer and pick up the good and bad habits of our parents or uncle or aunty who bravely volunteered to sit in the passenger seat. Even in private driving lessons they are just teaching you enough to pass the test. And thus, the continuance of bad driving habits and practices is passed on through the generations. Im a strong believer that if learning to drive was put under the same stringent testing as learning to fly, then road accidents and deaths would be halved overnight.

But, I like driving

Like many people, I like to drive. I’m not a hoon or a rev head. I like the feeling of being able to drive and go places, especially for long stretches on open roads. Im not a fan of traffic congestion or rude, obnoxious and inconsiderate drivers. Many people see driving as being a right when in fact it’s actually a privilege. In Australia, we take driving for granted but its because we need to drive. Poor rail infrastructure and vast distances ensures that we are dependent on the car for transportation. But whether they are long or short trips, driving can be fun. But if I was in a self driving car, would I feel the same way? No. Not really.

The literal intersection of technology and road rules

So will we all be forced into self driving cars in the future? And when will that be? On one hand, you can see how attractive it would be for Governments to force everyone to own a self-driving car. Minimum to no accidents or deaths. Less policing and dispute resolutions. A lot of resources would be freed up as a result. But then, there is the revenue side of things. Less to no accidents means virtually zero need for insurance — on any level. So Government insurance levies would disappear.

Self driving would also bring other innovations like extreme fuel efficiency. No more lead foot or heavy braking. Your fuel would be conserved considerably by the onboard computer and not a drop would be wasted by its calculations. More efficient consumption means less need, equating to less frequency in filling up. And who knows, by the time we all get to have self-driving cars, they could all be electric or be running on some other type of fuel source. Im sure the Govt won’t miss though. They’ll find a way to add excise tax somewhere.

What does self-driving really mean?

Will we even need to be in the self-driving car? Couldn’t we just send the self-driving car to the shops or destination to pick up whatever we need to get? Doesn’t Uber already do this?

It’s not a stretch then to think a self-driving car could be sent to get our shopping and have the shop keeper load it in the car for us at the other end. And why would we even need taxis’ or Uber for that matter? Couldn’t we just send the car home again after it has dropped us off? No parking required. Even more less revenue for Governments.

The idea of a self-driving car is really attractive when you start to think about it. So you can see why it has attracted some big players with Google, Apple and Tesla to name but a few. But it still feels like there will be something missing.

But when it all goes wrong

We have seen what happens when a planes onboard computer malfunctions. Or in the case of US Airways Flight 1549, dubbed the ‘miracle on the Hudson’, after its engines were struck by birds. There was no way that the onboard computer could have taken over and made a text book landing on the Hudson River like the pilot did in those very few minutes. It simply wasn’t programmed to do so. Instead, it took the skill and composure of Captain ‘Sully’ to land the aircraft and save all 159 passengers and crew.

And it all came down to 11 degrees. This is the optimal angle in which an aircraft needs to hit the water in order to remain intact when it ditching. Auto-pilots can land planes — if programmed too. But ditching? I’m not so sure about that.

So what will happen in a self-driving car? What if the computer controlled accelerator suddenly malfunctions and starts careening out of control? How does the driver who has never been taught to drive suddenly take over? Will there be an override switch? Or a kill switch that stops the car dead in its tracks?

These are the issues that will face the law makers in the next 5–10 years. But are they even taking notes right now? Shouldn’t they be putting measures in place already?

The future is now

Google uses its giant data centres to simulate 3 million miles of autonomous driving per day. This is the equivalent of driving 500 round trips between NYC and LA (or Sydney to Perth). This makes sense as Google needs all the data it can get to teach its cars how to drive safely even before they hit the road.

The future is happening now, and with Apple rumoured to also be entering into the self driving car market, it won’t be long till we see a commercially viable version being sold to the public along with conventional cars.

I for one won’t be getting a self driving car. Except for my mother. And perhaps one for the groceries as surely it would be a lot more reliable than relying on internet shopping delivery times.

What are your thoughts? Would you want a self driving car?