Self Driving Research Paper

Automobiles are a vital aspect of daily life for billions of people, most of whom utilize them as their primary mode of transportation. Unfortunately, the massive amounts of vehicles on the road at once cause traffic conflicts, like when “over 32,000 people died in automobile crashes in 2014, and approximately 90 percent of those crashes involved driver error.” (“Self-Driving Cars”). Cars have become a serious hazard, threatening lives and the safety of people across the globe.

Because automobiles can be burdensome to society and are a significant cause of fatalities, innovation to make driving safer were bound to be created; they were in the form of self-driving vehicles. “These autonomous cars utilize laser light, GPS, odometry, cameras,

There are currently alternative methods for transporting elders, with “on-demand services like Uber and Lyft are viable alternatives to autonomous cars, but are not available in many areas where older adults live… some older people are wary of riding with strangers” (Chapman). At face value, it may seem like driverless vehicles are unnecessary and a hassle to produce when there are already services like Uber to get to your destination. However, the disadvantages of calling an Uber are not present in self-driving vehicles, including feeling uncomfortable driving in a stranger’s car, long waiting times for the driver due to poor accessibility in remote places, and having to pay for each ride. Although the fare of an Uber drive is only a few dollars, the costs accumulate making it a costly method of transportation, as those with severe health conditions need to constantly rely on these services. By owning their own autonomous vehicle, there will no longer be any waiting times for a ride, no worry of a complete stranger driving you each time you need a ride and no additional payments per

Many people have jobs that rely on , with “5 million people nationwide — including 600,000 in California — who make their living driving taxis, buses, vans, trucks and e-hailing vehicles” (Greenhouse). By kicking drivers off the road in favor of self-driving vehicles, millions of people are left jobless and are at risk of living in poverty. However, there will be a new demand for workers specifically for the field of autonomous vehicles, including fleet maintenance, program developers, test drivers, and software mechanics. Also, it’s not very logical to prioritize employment for all over the greater risk human drivers have with car accidents compared to