The motoring world is set to witness a significant shift in the months and years to come, as autonomous vehicles begin to be used on public roads. Google has already revealed that it is trialing its automated technology in real-world situations, for instance, while both Lexus and Mercedes have confirmed that they are among the big-name vehicle manufacturers to be working on autonomous car technology. Across the Atlantic in the UK, Tesla has been putting its driverless Autopilot system through the paces too. There are also rumors that BMW and Apple are collaborating to create a vehicle which may well be automated.
A lot is going on when it comes to the topic of self-driving vehicles then. However, a lot of people are still skeptical about the technology. In fact, a survey by AAA suggested that around 75 percent of the public are currently fearful about riding in a self-driving car.
Various groups seen in our society could benefit from being able to use autonomous vehicles though, including senior citizens. This is especially apparent when considering the Surface Transportation Policy Project titled ‘Aging Americans: Stranded Without Options.’ This study revealed that 20 percent of Americans over 65 do not drive at all. Bearing all of this in mind, stairlift manufacturer Acorn Stairlifts has investigated exactly how self-driving cars have the capability to assist elderly people.
Waymo’s approach to autonomous vehicles
Waymo appears to be ahead of the game in regard to self-driving cars. The firm’s driverless cars have already been driven at least 3.5 million miles in 22 test cities — with one test seeing a blind man successfully being able to complete a test ride by himself.
While working on the development of autonomous vehicles, Waymo has successfully added a few design elements into the automobiles. These features have the intention to help the elderly, as well as individuals with disabilities, when they are heading out on a road trip. People on-board a driverless car who are hearing-impaired are sure to appreciate screens in the vehicle’s cabin which are around the size of a laptop computer’s screen, for instance. These screens allow individuals to follow a route, as well as view selected information such as any traffic signals, crosswalks, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users encountered while getting from A to B.
Take note of the buttons placed on the dashboard of a Waymo driverless car too. People who are familiar with cars which have rolled off production lines over the past few years are likely to have already come across a ‘Start’ button. However, Waymo vehicles also come complete with a ‘Pull Over’ button and ‘Help’ button that will begin a two-way voice communication connection with a control center when pressed.
Getting behind the wheel of a Waymo autonomous vehicle may just be around the corner too. This is because plans are in place for the Waymo to launch the world’s first commercial driverless car service.
British Transport Secretary talks about driverless cars
So, we may only have a matter of weeks, if not days, to wait until the roads begin to be filled with autonomous vehicles. How do those involved in the motoring industry feel about the technology?
Across the pond, Chris Grayling, the British Transport Secretary, has claimed that driverless cars have the potential to transform the lives of the disabled and the elderly. Promoting the benefits of this new form of transportation on both the economy and society in a speech made at the Association of British Insurers’ annual conference in London, Mr Grayling says, “The potential benefits of these new technologies for human mobility — and for wider society — are tremendously exciting.
“Many who can’t currently drive will be able to take to the road. Elderly people or people with disabilities which prevent them from travelling today will discover a new sense of freedom and independence.”
What’s more, Mr Grayling pointed out “self-driving cars should make road travel far safer by eliminating the biggest contributory factor in accidents today — human error,” as a means of highlighting another benefit of this technology.
AARP and driverless cars
Nancy LeaMond, the executive vice president at the AARP, was a speaker at an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) panel discussion at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year. During her speech, Ms LeaMond was keen to point out that senior citizens must be kept in mind while autonomous vehicles are being designed.
“This is a critical part of livable communities as we talk to mayors and other officials around the country,” Ms LeaMond acknowledged.
“To be successful, people of all ages will need to trust the machine to do the driving and right now there is a very significant trust gap. A full three-quarters of U.S. drivers of all ages report feeling afraid to ride in a self-driving car.”
Elizabeth Macnab, from the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens’ Organizations, was also a part of the same panel discussion. She pointed out that there are a few considerations which must be made to ensure driverless cars are indeed appealing to elderly people, including:
- The vehicles should be affordable to senior citizens on a fixed income.
- The vehicles should be accessible to senior citizens who need to use mobility aids and walking devices to get around.
- The manufacturers of autonomous vehicles should commit to providing training to elderly people about how to correctly use a driverless car.
It seems clear then that there are numerous ways that autonomous vehicles can assist the elderly and other demographics to ensure they remain on the road. Therefore, this shift in the automobile world is certainly a change that we should be ready to get behind.
Sources:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5052809/Self-driving-cars-set-transform-lives-elderly.html
https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/self-driving-cars-elderly-could-be-first-embrace-a-266938
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/autonomous-vehicles-for-seniors-1.4490431
https://www.drivesweden.net/en/autonomous-vehicles-can-benefit-seniors-all-over-world
