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Effects Associated With Automated Cars

Effects Associated With Automated Cars

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Running head: AUTONOMOUS CAR 1

Autonomous Car:

Name:

Institution:

Autonomous Car

Introduction

The biggest cause of road accidents today is human error. It accounts for about 80% of all

road accidents (Badland & Schofield, 2005). Ordinary cars are human controlled machines and,

therefore, are prone to errors. They entirely depend on the commands applied by the driver

regardless of whether they are correct or not. They cannot correct a command applied

inappropriately. This causes road accidents simply because ordinary cars have no capacity to

correct these human errors. The Institute for Highway Safety suggests technology can reduce up

to one third of fatal road accidents (Badland & Schofield, 2005).

Background

Autonomous cars are also known as robotic or driverless cars. Examples of those that

have been developed perform automatic steering. The technology used is centered around

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AUTONOMOUS CAR

sensing magnetic monorails embedded on the road. Recent researchers use custom-made

hardware, advanced software, and sensors in assembling autonomous cars.

Autonomous cars have been highly predicted in the field of science. Major firms, such as

Volvo, Audi, and Mercedes have declared their interests in venturing in production of these cars.

Corporations too plan to begin selling these vehicles. This idea has gone as far as making some

governments pass legislation to lay the legal framework to enable this development thrives

legally (Badland & Schofield, 2005).

Cars can be classified according to their increasing level of automation. According to

this criterion, we can classify them into five categories. At the lowest rank are those that depend

entirely on the command of the driver. In this case, the driver completely keeps control of the

vehicle at all times. The second category is the one that has its individual vehicle controls

automated. These include controls like automatic braking and electronic stability. Electronic

stability helps to steer the vehicle where the driver intends to go (Fantz & Katsioloudis, 2011).

Additionally, it ensure to regain control by reducing engine power to levels that can easily be

controlled. The third category is that which can automate in unison at least two controls. This can

be a combination of lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. A car in this category

automatically adjusts its speed and maintains a sufficiently safe distance from the vehicles that

are ahead. Sensor information from on-board sensors imposes control. The process requires

mobile infrastructure like reflectors or transmitters or those that are fixed like roadside beacons

and satellites (Bekey, 2005). The vehicle slows when approaching a vehicle ahead and regains its

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Autonomous Car: Name: Institution: Autonomous Car Introduction The biggest cause of road accidents today is human error. It accounts for about 80% of all road accidents (Badland & Schofield, 2005). Ordinary cars are human controlled machines and, therefore, are prone to errors. They entirely depend on the commands applied by the driver regardless of whether they are correct or not. They cannot correct a command applied inappropriately. This causes road accidents simply because ordinary cars have no capacity to correct these human errors. The Institute for Highway Safety suggests technology can reduce up to one third of fatal road accidents (Badland & Schofield, 2005). Background Autonomous cars are also known as robotic or driverless cars. Examples of those that have been developed perform automatic steering. The technology used is centered around sensing magnetic monorails embedded on the road. Recent researchers use custom-made hardware, advanced software, and sensors in assembling autonomous cars. Autonomous cars have been highly predicted in the field of science. Major firms, such as Volvo, Audi, and Mercedes have declared their interests in venturing in production of these cars. Corporations too plan to begin selling these vehicles. This idea has gone as far as making some governments pass legislation to lay the legal framework to enable this development thrives legally (Badland & Schofield, 2005). Cars can be classified according to their incre ...
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