You may have heard about “cars from the future” in science fiction movies and other media. But what about in today’s society? Some people want to see self-driving cars as a reality, while others point out how inconceivable the idea is. While self-driving vehicles are already being heralded as the future for going from place to place – with tech giants and smaller start-ups experimenting with various prototypes, there are some people that aren’t on board with the concept.
With that said, there are many people who might be misguided with any misinformation that they might have heard on TV or other media. But don’t worry! This article will debunk 5 different myths that revolve around self-driving cars. And, as we explore these myths, we’ll present the statistics for each.
So, let’s jump right in!
Myth 1: Self-Driving Cars Will Make Car Ownership Obsolete
“Nowadays, people are either driving or riding in a car,” says Mira Humphrey, a tech blogger at Ukwritings and Oxessays. “So, when people are introduced to self-driving cars – or at least the concept of it – the question may rise of whether it would get rid of car ownership.”
With 40.42 million used cars sold in 2018, compared to 17.21 million new ones, it’s obvious that people will still make that investment in order to be able to drive. Plus, the statistic doesn’t involve self-driving cars at all. Therefore, owning a traditional car isn’t out of the question.
Myth 2: Self-Driving Cars Will Reduce Private-Car Ownership
It was reported in 2020 that Tesla’s chief, Elon Musk, predicted that the company would have over a million “robotaxis” operating by 2020. Though, despite this ambitious vision, such autonomous cars haven’t hit the road yet.
With over 91.3% of households having access to at least 1 vehicle, it’s clear that people still depend on having adequate access to vehicle. With that said, private-car ownership isn’t going away any time soon, as long as people have that extensive need for a vehicle.
Myth 3: Self-Driving Cars Reduces Downtown Congestion
Vehicle traffic can be a headache for drivers, whether you’re going to work, coming home from work, and so on. In fact, two places in the world – Bangalore, India and Manila, Philippines -having the most traffic congestion at 71%. So, self-driving cars should be the saving grace for heavy traffic, right? Autonomous cars relieve congestion, right? Wrong.
Even when you put a million self-driving cars on the road, they can still take up space like regular cars do. Even with slow-moving autonomous cars, they’ll only aggravate traffic congestion.
Myth 4: It’s Now Or Never For Self-Driving Cars
Supporters of autonomous cars might suggest to skeptics that self-driving cars are a “need” rather than a “preference.” Even with the promise of innovation and how the world “needs” these newer cars on the road, skeptics have every right to question it.
Needless to say, self-driving cars still have time to be built, tested, and approved. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, self-driving cars are expected to include fully-automated safety features and highway autopilot by 2025 and beyond. So, you see, there’s no hurry for self-driving cars to be a reality. And, consumers must be willing to use said cars, as mentioned earlier.
Myth 5: Humans Will No Longer Have To Drive
“Human driving is already a way of life as is,” says Oliver Winston, a tech writer at UK Services reviews and Eliteassignmenthelp. “So, introducing a new driving concept can take a while to grandfather in. In truth, many people are still skeptical about autonomous driving.”
According to a 2020 SurveyUSA study conducted with 1,200 participants, 48% surveyed won’t consider riding self-driving vehicles; whereas, 21% aren’t even sure what to make of the concept, period. Therefore, it’s safe to say that autonomous cars won’t get touched, even with a 10-foot pole, for a good while.
Conclusion
As it stands right now, autonomous cars are, of course, cars of “the future.” Despite the advancements and ideas that have generated from various brands and companies over the years, there are still a healthy amount of skepticism. While the concept is desirable at certain points, others aren’t budging from their speculating and questioning.
Once you learn the truth about the 5 myths discussed in this article, you’ll get a better idea on how self-driving cars are faring. But for now, it’s clear that the world is slowly accepting the idea of autonomy; and, it’s clear that autonomy is coming to consumers soon.
Kristin Herman is a writer at Essay Roo and Assignment help. She is also a contributing writer for online magazine and blogs, such as Boom Essays. As a marketing writer, she blogs about the latest trends in digital and social media marketing.
