Autonomous automobiles are one of the most fascinating — and contentious — of the once-futuristic technologies on the verge of entering the consumer market. It’s simple to see why the prospect of self-driving automobiles clogging our highways might elicit both excitement and fear. Our roadways are already unsafe enough without the addition of anything that could fail, run out of battery, or be hacked. Regardless of all the anxieties and scepticism, self-driving cars are on the verge of becoming a reality. With businesses such as Uber, Google (Alphabet, Inc.), and General Motors racing to put self-driving cars on the road, the future of personal transportation is not far off. What will happen when the technology is ultimately put on the road?
Ridesharing Will Become More Commonplace
One of the most obvious effects we’ll see when autonomous vehicles hit the market is an increase in ridesharing. As companies like Uber and Lyft have already demonstrated, apps that help users find transportation will flourish with self-driving cars in the mix. But more than simply being a convenient way for individuals to get around, ridesharing could completely change the way we think about personal transportation.
When you can summon a car with the push of a button and don’t have to worry about driving, the idea of owning a vehicle starts to seem a lot less appealing. In fact, some experts believe that the rise of autonomous vehicles will cause car ownership rates to plummet. A study from Intel estimates that by 2030, between 25 and 75 percent of Americans will be willing to skip owning a car in favour of using autonomous cars as needed.
Traffic Could Actually Decrease
Another worrying aspect of the prospect of self-driving vehicles is the potential congestion they could cause on our roads. But while it might seem like more cars on the road would lead to more traffic, that might not necessarily be the case. In theory, autonomous cars could be much better at coordinating with one another to avoid traffic jams.
Additionally, as the number of people who opt for ridesharing over car ownership increases, we could see a decrease in the number of vehicles on the road overall. This would free up space on our highways and, as a result, reduce traffic.
We May Spend More Time in Our Cars
Although autonomous cars have the potential to make our commutes shorter and less stressful, we may actually end up spending more time in them. That’s because, without the need to focus on driving, we’ll be able to use that time for other activities.
Whether we use that time to catch up on work, relax, or simply enjoy the scenery, the fact is that we’ll have more time to do things while we’re in our cars. And as autonomous cars become more common, we may find ourselves spending more and more time in them — which could have a number of consequences, both good and bad.
We’ll Be More Connected — and Disconnected.
As autonomous cars become more prevalent, we’ll also see an increase in the number of connected vehicles on the road. Cars that can communicate with one another — and with the infrastructure around them — will be better able to avoid accidents and keep traffic flowing smoothly.
But while cars will be more connected to the world around them, their occupants may become more disconnected from it. With the rise of autonomous cars, we’ll have more opportunities to work, relax, or simply zone out while we’re on the road. And as our cars become increasingly capable of handling the driving for us, we may find ourselves taking advantage of those opportunities more and more.
The Landscape Could Change
Finally, it’s worth considering the impact autonomous cars could have on our cities and towns. With less need for parking spaces and fewer people owning cars, we could see a drastic change in the way our urban areas are laid out.
In particular, we may see a decrease in the amount of space dedicated to roads and parking. This could free up land for other uses, such as parks, playgrounds, and public gathering spaces. And as autonomous cars become more common in rural areas, we could see a similar transformation there, with a decrease in the need for large parking lots at shopping centres and other businesses.
So, while it’s hard to say exactly what the future of transportation holds, one thing is clear: autonomous cars will be a force to be reckoned with. By understanding how these vehicles are expected to impact our lives, we can better prepare for the changes that lie ahead.
Contact us at
Eastern Cash For Cars
720 High St Rd, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150
(03) 7035 7830
www.easterncashforcars.com.au
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