Introduction
Over the past century cars have become an integral part of the American life. From the small but capable Ford Model T that was popular in the 1920s to the rugged and robust Hummer H3 that looks like it was built to survive nuclear attacks. Cars have transformed over the past 100 years. As technology has evolved and affected our lives over time at a rapid rate, cars have become one of the standard devices where technology can be implemented to improve driver performance and make driving easier.
This academic paper researches on if the transformation of technology in cars has improved or diminished driver’s performance. As I’ve researched in several academic papers and articles, technology has made drivers better. New technologies such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and automatic parking technology can improve driver performance drastically (NHTSA, 2011). But with the benefits that this new technology brings, come cons that create problems for the driver such as distractions. Although the transformation of technology in cars has made drivers better, some features such as digital dashboards and voice-command systems can become a source of distraction to drivers.
Background Information
The history of automobiles has come a long way; the first automobile was invented between 1832 and 1839 by Robert Anderson, a Scottish inventor, which ran on electricity by non-rechargeable cells. About 70 years later in 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Ford Model T to America, which became the first car that middle-class Americans could own and would change the culture and identity of Americans to this day (PBS, 2009). Throughout the 20th century came the car radio, power steering, cru...
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...ctions or limit use of photographic images and moving maps while the vehicle is moving. Depending on who wins this battle, it could set a precedent for who decides what is safe for the consumers, Rogers says “IF the alliance prevails, the industry will have more leeway in what it can deem safe for consumers without government interference” (2012).
Having the automakers select what is and isn’t safe may not be the best situation for consumers, because automakers are always trying to make the quickest dollar, like integrating apps into in-dash systems for example. But the government may not be the best option either. Although the government is trying to fight back against the fast and rapidly changing car technology, “… any regulation would probably be obsolete by the time it became enforceable” says John Quain (2013).
Autonomous cars, the end of Drivers?
Conclusion
“New Devices Aim to Eliminate Distracted Driving.” Issues & Controversies. Infobase Learning, 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.
The world of technology is ever changing and advancing. With the automotive industry in play technology is constantly surpassing what is available today with what can be done for tomorrow. Technology and the automotive industry go hand in hand with constant improvement to components of cars. Due to technology advancement there is competition within the car industry, especially between American car companies and European car companies. European car companies provide their buyers with innovative variety and revolutionary luxuries. European car technology is superior to American car technology due to their safety, entertainment, and luxury features.
Have you ever thought of what the world would be like without the automobile? This paper will talk about the things the automobile has helped create. Inventors first started experimenting with steam powered engines in the late 18th century. Cars began being produced and sold to the public in the 1890’s (Automotive History). The automobile is considered to be one of the greatest inventions of all time. As a result of the automobile, cities changed, jobs were formed, and the environment was impacted.
Starting in the late 1700’s, European engineers began messing with motor powered vehicles. By the mid 1800’s, steam, combustion, and electrical motors had all been attempted. By the 1900’s it wasn’t very clear on which type of engine would really power the automobile. At that time, electric cars were the most popular but there were no batteries at that time that would allow a car to move very fast or a long distance. Commercial production in the United States began at the beginning of the 1900’s. In the early 1900’s, the United States had about two thousand firms producing one or more cars.
By the early 1900’s, automobiles had become a common sight on the roads of the United States. Edison tried to create an electric battery that could power an electric car. Due to the abundant availability of gasoline, the electric car did not receive the response that Edison hoped for. However, the car battery was a huge success, and still plays a pivotal role in the automobile industry.
Worth noting, is the fact that most drivers are persuaded to the belief that they can send some messages without negatively affecting their driving capabilities. However, some important studies have revealed that drivers are not as capable of multi-tasking as they believe they are. Researchers have revealed that drivers who text ...
In the twentieth century, the introduction of the motor vehicle in the United States became not only noteworthy, but also vital in the development of modern American civilization. This technologically complex machine led citizens to vast future dependency on the invention. While mobility was suddenly not limited to alternative, more convoluted options such as railroad stations or bicycles, yet copiously amplified to aid convenience and expanded leisure opportunities. From auto-racing to redesigning infrastructure, motor vehicles allowed progression, digression, and essentially uttermost change to lifestyles of the American people.
Several individuals need to be constantly sending messages to their friends and family members with the use of a cellphone while driving. More and more drivers have the urge to use their cell phones while driving. This dangerous mixture can result to be even deadly. “As one researcher concluded, a cellphone draws attention away from the routines that would provide a good representation of the driving environment” (qtd. in Seppa 3).
When talking about self-driving vehicles the government agency asks that customer privacy be brought up. With the new technological advances that will soon be available to us there are downsides to it too. However, the department of transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, said that there is nothing we should worry about. Supposedly all of the information that they acquire will not be displayed to anybody. Besides confidential information being kept safe, the rate of car crashes with smart cars will minimize to saving over 1.25 million people every year. Lawyers are worried about the information that the car agencies have being used against their customers if leaked out to other sources.
Furthermore, in relation to the regulations and rules relating to automated vehicles, the federal agencies with the responsibility for automated-related factors on the nation’s highways include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). NHTSA has the responsibility of reducing deaths, injuries, and financial losses cause to vehicle accidents. FMCSA serves a similar purpose for large trucks and buses. However, because there are no specific federal policies or regulations in place that govern the use, operation, or deployment of automated technology, NHTSA has stated that many vehicle technologies are deployed without regulation being in place that allows their use. However, NHTSA makes it clear that technologies cannot pose an “unreasonable risk to safety.” Because of this, many technologies see significant market penetration before standards are developed. One factor leading to this situation is that there is typically a five- to eight-year timeframe for regulation development and activation.
“Need to check traffic conditions? Or your email? You can visit the Internet from the driver’s seat of your car. Lost? Onstar will guide you to your destination. Tired? Hungry ? OnStar’s concierge service will handle hotel and restaurant reservations. Stranded? OnStar will contact the nearest tow truck service and send help to any location. Important phone call to make? Just call out the number and you’re connected, all at your fingertips twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.”
The cell phone however, while convenient, will often lead to many hazardous accidents and sometimes deaths. While most will admit using a cell phone while driving is dangerous, many still do it. Distracted driving as a whole should been seen as a violent act of selfishness closely related to murderous intent. The use of a cell phone behind the wheel is just like being drunk behind the wheel so it is easy to imagine thousands of people driving throughout the day “drunk”. David L. Strayer, Professor at the University of Utah in Cognition and Neural Science, reveals in his research “A Comparison of the Cell Phone Driver and the Drunk Driver” that “people who drive while talking on their cell phones are as impaired as drunk drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 %”(Strayer). With this in mind it is no wonder Distracted driving is a common factor in collisions. This can be understood in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s article, “NHTSA Policy and FAQs on Cellular Phone Use While Driving”. In the article, the NHTSA concedes that “driving distractions, including the use of cell phones, contribute to 25% of all traffic crashes” (NHTSA.gov). The reader should keep in mind that distracted driving is closely related to cell phone
These technologies have made driving an easier and enjoyable experience, as well as reducing our chances of getting into accidents. The research presented in the following article “Driven to Distraction [in car technology]” provided surprising conclusions. Professor John D. Lee from the University of Iowa states the following issue: “Technology is changing very quickly. Many of these things coming into the car were not designed to be used in it. ”(Edwards 8).
The engineering that goes into a driverless car covers all areas of mechanics, computing software and so on which still tends to frighten some drivers of its monstrosity on the inside. In the article “Google Cars Becoming Safer: Let the Robots Drive” it states that, “The economic lift from ridding the roads of human-driven vehicles would be over $190 billion per year. That would primarily come from reducing property damage caused by low-speed collisions”(Salkever). The point is that when driverless cars hit the road the cost of low-speed collision and save consumers money will be reduced. In the article “ Google Driverless Cars Run Into Problem: Cars With Drivers” Slakever states that “One Google car, in a test in 2009, couldn’t get through a four-way stop because its sensors kept waiting for other (human) drivers to stop completely and let it go. The human drivers kept inching forward, looking for the advantage — paralyzing Google’s robot”(Bosker). Current drivers have never followed the rule of the road, which have made the road more prone to any accident. Drivers have found the upper hand on not following traffic laws that makes manufacturing driverless car more meticulous to decrease accidents and breaking traffic laws. The fact that driverless car sensors can detect the errors of other human driven car is extraordinary. Human driven cars are trying to stick to the status quo of the roads when in reality human driven cars are breaking valuable innovation that will make the roads safe for generations to
Automotive ethics is a subject that is often over looked. Not many people tend to look at what is ethical in the automotive industry; most people are generally satisfied if they can get a good deal on a car. However, in reality, automotive ethics has an affect on how automobiles are made, what regulations the government puts on them, and their hazard on the environment. Before the engine was invented, life revolved around a much more complicated system of transportation. Much advancement in technology has been made to make the common lifestyle today much easier; a few examples are cellular telephones and onboard navigation systems in automobiles. Cellular telephones and navigation systems have become an everyday item, but nobody looks at the dangers that can have while operating a motor vehicle.