Essay Sample on Autonomous Cars: Engineering Technology Transforms Automobile Industry

Introduction

The automobile industry continues to evolve as computer and engineering technology expands. The inventions in this sector have made it possible for the development of cars that have self-driving capabilities. While the process of building autonomous vehicles is in progress, car manufacturers have achieved significant steps towards availing automobiles that do not rely on human input. An autonomous car refers to a car that can move from one point to another without the need for social control or engagement. It has sensors that enable it to read its environment and move about like a traditional car ("What Is an Autonomous Car "). Some advantages and disadvantages arise with the development and use of autonomous vehicles on the roads. Although the autonomous vehicle will reduce human errors, eradicate congestion on roads, and encourage freedom of movement among the disabled people, the technology will expose individuals' details to hacking as hackers can control systems and alter the programming of the car.

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Pros

For decades, human society has attributed road accidents to human error. They have blamed reckless behaviors and actions such as over speeding and drunk driving as the leading causes of fatal crashes. The use of autonomous vehicles offers an opportunity for society to move away from the senseless loss of lives due to human error. The use of computers, sensors, and sophisticated algorithms in fully automated cars will lead to the removal of manual driving controls ("Driverless Cars Pros and Cons"). The aim of applying technology to the automobile industry is to eliminate issues such as distractions that occur when driving. Widespread use of self-driving cars will increase road safety and save lives due to limited human error. Hence, autonomous vehicles will solve the problem of fatal road accidents that occur out of human fault.

There are members of society who are not fortunate enough to drive due to various conditions. A particular group of people who have had limited access to opportunities is disabled and the elderly. These are individuals who have had to rely on their family and friends to get transportation services. They can drive but have a few limitations that disqualify them. However, with the development of autonomous cars, the disabled and the elderly will have the freedom of movement with reduced dependence on others (Michaels). Self-driving vehicles will significantly reduce restrictions that prevent the less mobile members of society from performing essential duties in their communities. Therefore, people with mobility issues will benefit from vehicle transport without worrying about the accessibility of manual controls.

By relying on sensor technology, driverless cars can communicate with other vehicles on the road. It is a feature that will allow cars to drive close to one another. As a result, more cars can use the road without causing traffic jams. On the other hand, the use of driverless vehicles hints at the possibility of reduced commute time, given the unique features of the cars. For instance, the inclusion of automatic braking will reduce cases of tail light crashes that occur when drivers brake abruptly in jams ("Driverless Cars Pros and Cons"). Autonomous cars can also travel at consistent speeds and maintain specific distances from one another. With the reduced probability of crashing, speed limits can be increased to facilitate faster movement. Hence, the cars will eradicate congestion on roads while cutting time spent snaking through traffic snarl-ups.

While driverless car manufacturers aim to develop vehicles that are more reliable and safer than human-driven ones, they seek to embrace the use of electric cars with autonomous technology. Over the years, environmental activists and governments have fought to reduce the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere by automobiles. The use of combustion engines is one of the leading causes of emissions that pollute the environment. By focusing autonomous car technology on electric vehicles, the driverless will emit fewer carbons to the atmosphere ("Driverless Cars Pros and Cons"). Unlike hybrid and traditional cars, autonomous cars will not have to speed, brake, and reaccelerate so often. Their computerized movement will minimize energy use. Besides, electric autonomous will contribute to improved air quality in crowded urban areas.

Cons

One of the notable challenges that accompany the use of computer technology in present-day society is the infallibility of systems used. As technology evolves, the level of interconnectedness across devices grows. Autonomous cars will rely on computer systems that communicate with one another. They constitute automated hardware and software that are programmed to perform specific functions and activities without human input. The risk of using autonomous vehicles lies in the possibility of hacking. There is a likelihood that hackers can exploit weaknesses and loopholes in interconnected systems to hack and gain control of cars (Michaels). The danger is that they can control systems and alter the programming of the vehicle. Given that the average car user would not quickly notice malicious activity, it poses a considerable risk to the public.

The successful operation of an autonomous vehicle will rely on the information gathered and stored by the car's software. For instance, the car will collect data about regularly used routes and destinations. It will store information such as work, school, and home addresses. These are bits of personal data that can be exploited to target the user. Thus, there are concerns about the security and privacy of data collected by the autonomous car ("Driverless Cars Pros and Cons"). Since the self-driving technology will be of high interest to hackers, road users are worried about who can gain access to information on frequent destinations. Besides, there are concerns about the occurrence of glitches in the software and systems used to store personal data.

The essence of autonomous vehicles is to eliminate human error and minimize human-related accidents. The goal of car manufacturers is to increase the safety of road transport and save lives. It means that they will encourage the adoption of autonomous cars. However, the use of these vehicles poses a threat to several drivers who work as taxi and lorry drivers("Top 20 Pros and Cons"). For instance, the taxi-hailing business continues to thrive due to the presence of drivers looking for jobs in the transport industry. They transport people and deliver goods such as fast foods ordered via e-commerce. Similarly, truck drivers move goods across long distances. These individuals earn income from driving. By replacing them with driverless cars, car manufacturers will disrupt their livelihood. Thus, the widespread use of autonomous vehicles can lead to increased unemployment.

Conclusion

Overall, the inclusion of computer and sensor technology in vehicles offers automobile manufacturers an opportunity to develop safe and reliable units. Having paid attention to the shortcoming of the current models that require manual manipulation by human beings, companies are looking to market self-driving cars. Some of the advantages that society will enjoy from this progress include reduced accidents and loss of human lives. Besides, people termed as a driving risk, such as the disabled, and the elderly will rely on autonomous cars. On the contrary, these cars will be a mobile unit that contains crucial personal data. Due to their interconnectedness, they will be prone to hacking. There are concerns about the safety and misuse of user information and the disclosure of regularly visited locations. Also, driverless cars will affect job availability for drivers. Whereas the advancement in autonomous technology is impressive, it is vital to consider its implications on society.

Works Cited

"Driverless Cars Pros and Cons." Budget Direct, 2018, www.budgetdirect.com.au/blog/driverless-cars-pros-and-cons.html. Accessed 11 February 2020.

Michaels, Keith. "Driverless Cars - Pros & Cons of Autonomous Cars." Keith Michaels, 11 April 2018, www.keithmichaels.co.uk/news/driverless-cars-pros-and-cons/. Accessed 11 February 2020.

"Top 20 Pros and Cons Associated with Self-Driving Cars." Auto-insurance Center, 2020, www.autoinsurancecenter.com/top-20-pros-and-cons-associated-with-self-driving-cars.htm. Accessed 11 February 2020.

"What Is an Autonomous Car? - How Self-Driving Cars Work." Synopsys, www.synopsys.com/automotive/what-is-autonomous-car.html. Accessed 11 February 2020.