Ask petrolheads like Jeremy Clarkson if driverless cars have a future and you can imagine the inflamed reply.
But will ever more-practical women drivers take such a dim view of these when presented with the road safety facts?
Our initial and entirely understandable reaction to this suggestion is that the concept of self-driving cars is as unlikely in real life as warp speed, transporter beams and Klingons, despite our knowing that internet giant Google is busy beavering away on these very vehicles. In fact, the company has announced some recent improvements to its driverless system, bringing the far fetched concept a step closer to existence.
Does the driverless car really have a future?
As the name suggests, the driverless car is self-driving; that is to say, that all driving mechanisms are fully autonomous. The technology works via a system of laser radars and computers. The disparate parts of the system work in conjunction to allow the vehicle to which the equipment is fitted to navigate an area. While the laser’s radars act as range finding sensors, the computers generate detailed models of the ambient environment.
So far, so good. After all, the number of accidents and motoring stress would then be done away with surely… But only, one assumes, where all cars are similarly equipped and controlled?
During the extensive research and development stage of the driverless car, Google has been using retro-fitted vehicles of course. These models include the Lexus RX450, the Audi TT and the Toyota Prius. However, in the future there is the potential for the equipment to be integrated into any vehicle you might buy from a local dealership, such as those at Jennings Motor Group.
It can be difficult to put your trust in a machine so the concept of an unmanned car may sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, while all technology may malfunction from time to time, the majority of road accidents are actually caused by the organic matter sat behind the wheel. As this article in the Telegraph reports, driver errors, such as lack of concentration, loss of control and lack of perception, are far more likely to create problems on the road than brake failure or burst tyres. If Google were able to fully develop this technology, then driverless cars could actually help to increase the safety on the road.
Other benefits of driverless cars
Driverless cars may reduce the number of hold ups and traffic jams on the roads, with computers better able to communicate with each other to automatically manage the flow of traffic. Meanwhile, journeys are likely to be less stressful for the occupants of the car, with everyone able to sit back and relax rather than worrying about the road. Driving is also likely to be more economical, a potential bonus for the environment.
The Driverless Future, Google style…
Despite the facts indicating that, statistically at least, humans are the real danger behind the wheel of a car, a single failure in driverless cars could be catastrophic and would likely lead to a total mistrust in the system. For this reason, developers know that they must get any release right the first time. Accordingly, Google is taking painstaking effort over the research and development stage of its driverless car system, Therefore, a launch is unlikely to take place in the very near future. However, any system that could actively increase safety on the roads should prove popular, particularly with authorities, and some commentators estimate that the cars could be on the market in less than 10 years’ time.
This is a Guest Blog post from Jennings Motor Group, a multi-award winning group of Ford, Kia, Mazda and SEAT dealerships, selling new and quality approved used cars to customers in the North East of England. As a badge of its commitment to outstanding customer service, Jennings has received ‘The Chairman’s Award’ by Ford on 17 separate occasions over the past 20 years.