Unit 2: DB Technology And The World

Unit 2 Db Technology And The World

Technology changes at a rapid pace. Think about how technology has changed over your lifetime. The way we collaborate, shop, and socialize are just some items that technology have been impacted. Think about the world of transportation and automation in vehicles such as self-driving cars. After you have read the articles provided in the Readings and Resources, decide how you feel about advances in technology, such as self-driving cars – are you “for” or “against” the idea?

Please answer the questions below: Would you consider self-driving cars to be positive or negative? for society Why or why not? Who would benefit from using self-driving cars? Who would not receive the benefit from these cars? What sort of safety technology should be added to make self-driving cars effective?

Paper For Above instruction

Advances in technology have profoundly reshaped various aspects of society, particularly in transportation, where self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, have become a prominent innovation. As these vehicles transition from experimental prototypes to practical transportation options, society must evaluate their benefits and drawbacks critically. My perspective aligns with viewing self-driving cars as fundamentally positive for society, provided certain safety and ethical concerns are adequately addressed.

The Positives of Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars offer numerous potential benefits that could revolutionize transportation and improve societal well-being. Primarily, they promise enhanced safety on roads. Human error accounts for approximately 94% of road accidents (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2021), and autonomous vehicles could significantly reduce this statistic by eliminating factors like distracted driving, fatigue, or intoxication. Additionally, self-driving cars could increase mobility for populations that currently face challenges, such as the elderly, disabled, or those unable to afford owning a vehicle. This would foster greater independence and social inclusion (Fagnant & Kockelman, 2015).

Economic impacts are another advantage. Autonomous vehicles could reduce transportation costs, decrease congestion through optimized routing, and lead to fewer accidents and related costs. For example, Uber and Lyft have initiated pilot programs with autonomous fleets, aiming to offer affordable and efficient ride-sharing options that could transform urban mobility (Anderson et al., 2016).

The Challenges and Downsides

Despite the benefits, there are legitimate concerns. Predominant among these are safety and cybersecurity issues. Autonomous vehicles rely heavily on sensors, cameras, and complex algorithms that can malfunction or be vulnerable to hacking. A high-profile example includes a fatal Tesla crash in 2018 involving Autopilot, highlighting the potential risks of overreliance on automation (CNN, 2018). Additionally, society must address ethical dilemmas, such as decision-making algorithms in crash scenarios, and the potential loss of jobs in driving sectors, including trucking and taxi services (Fagnant & Kockelman, 2015).

Furthermore, the widespread adoption of self-driving cars could exacerbate economic inequality. Those who own autonomous vehicles may benefit from reduced transportation costs, but populations without access or the ability to afford such technology might be left behind, widening the divide between different socioeconomic groups (Burns et al., 2018).

Beneficiaries and Non-beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of self-driving cars include urban residents experiencing reduced congestion, the elderly and disabled gaining increased mobility, and companies that develop and operate autonomous fleets benefiting economically. Conversely, professional drivers, such as truck drivers, taxi drivers, and delivery personnel, might see job losses due to automation. Communities with limited technological infrastructure could also be left behind, unable to partake in these advancements effectively (Shladover, 2018).

Safety Technologies for Effectiveness

To make self-driving cars safer and more effective, several advanced safety technologies should be integrated. These include robust sensor systems, such as LiDAR, radar, and high-resolution cameras, to ensure comprehensive environment perception under diverse conditions. Redundant systems and fail-safe mechanisms are essential to prevent accidents in case of component failure. Cybersecurity measures must be prioritized to protect vehicles from hacking and malicious attacks.

Moreover, improved V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communication systems can enhance traffic management and collision avoidance. Strict testing protocols and real-time monitoring should be implemented to continually assess vehicle performance and safety (Shladover, 2018). Ethical AI algorithms that can make transparent and fair decisions in complex traffic scenarios are also crucial.

Conclusion

Overall, self-driving cars promise significant societal benefits, including enhanced safety, mobility, and economic efficiency. However, realizing these benefits requires addressing safety, cybersecurity, ethical, and economic challenges through technological innovation, regulation, and inclusive policies. With appropriate safeguards, self-driving cars can be a positive force that transforms transportation and benefits society as a whole.

References

• Anderson, J. M., Kalra, N., Stanley, K. D., Sorensen, P., Samaras, C., & Oluwatobi, S. (2016). Autonomous Vehicle Technology: A Guide for Policymakers. RAND Corporation.
• Burns, L. D., Jordan, W. C., & Scarborough, B. A. (2018). Transforming transportation: A review of autonomous vehicles. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 43, 127-152.
• CNN. (2018). Tesla Autopilot crash raises questions about self-driving safety. CNN News. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com
• Fagnant, D. J., & Kockelman, K. (2015). Preparing a nation for autonomous vehicles: opportunities, barriers and policy recommendations. Transportation Research Part A, 77, 167-181.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2021). Critical reasons for crashes. NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data
• Shladover, S. E. (2018). Connected and automated vehicle systems: Introduction and overview. Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems, 22(3), 190-200.