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IS 4410 – 091
Pros & Cons of Self-Driving Car Technology
Project Group #16
Christian Kerr
Marley Studebaker
Alex Vargas
Loren Wilson
Introduction
Self-driving car technology is one of the most disruptive, pertinent, and rapidly developing
concepts of this day and age. The implications of this technology affect not just the way we will
get from one place to another, but the way our cities are shaped, our businesses function, and our
economy develops. In this essay, our group will be covering several key concepts to convey an
understanding of just how impactful this technology is. We will be providing a brief history of
the technology, its pros and cons, and its implications on society and business. We will also be
delivering an industry professional’s opinion, how the technology relates to our IS 4410 class,
our opinion, and some additional relevant issues. The technology behind self-driving cars is
incredible and multifaceted, and while there are many challenges ahead, we feel that the pros far
outweigh the cons.
Background
The origin of the self-driving car concept is uncertain, though perhaps it began in 1925 when the
first radio-controlled car was driven through the streets of Manhattan (Dormehl). Jump forward
to 2002, when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Academy launched a Grand Challenge:
create an automated car to drive across the Mojave Desert (“A Brief History of Autonomous
Vehicle Technology”). From that point onward, the idea of fully automated vehicles has swept
across the globe, with companies like Tesla, Apple, Google, Uber, and numerous others
competing for a chance to dominate the space.
Self-driving cars rely on immensely complicated technological hardware and software. The
vehicles must be able to drive effectively and safely, sense dangers in the road, process
information at incredibly high speeds, and connect with other vehicles and humans through the
cloud. To accomplish this task, professionals from numerous fields of study are committing their
careers to developing cutting edge technology that will revolutionize more than just the way we
move. The technology will provide reliable transportation, reduction of wasted fuel and land,
maximization of car utilization, and a new economic platform that will stimulate development of
information technology.
Pros & Cons of Self-Driving Car Technology
When assessing the impact of the technology of self-driving cars, it is important to weigh both
the positive and negative attributes they bring to society and businesses.
Pros: First, let's consider the positive aspects of self-driving cars. Statistics show that 81% of car
crashes are the fault of vehicle operators (“Top 20 Pros and Cons Associated With Self-Driving
Cars.”). In 2010, there were approximately 35,000 vehicle fatalities in the U.S; many of these
were caused by distracted driving, drunk driving, and other impairments (Chon). All drivers go
through driver’s education and a series of tests as required by law. However, as time goes on,
people tend to develop a sense of false confidence that leads to speeding, distraction, and failure
to follow laws that leads to otherwise avoidable accidents (Weber). Even if most drivers on the
road are law abiding and diligent, there’s always a chance that one driver isn’t paying attention or
is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Just one bad driver can cause a catastrophe for
everyone else on the road.
This is where self-driving cars come into play, by taking out the most significant driving risk: the
driver. The computers that operate these cars use specific algorithms to determine the controls
and they are never distracted, which will almost certainly lead to fewer accidents (Howard and
Dai). The cars are also able to communicate with each other, which takes out the risk of
accidents caused by reckless or unaware drivers. Self-driving cars also can free up time for the
people, giving them time to read, work, chat with passengers and much more. Additionally, the
adoption of self-driving car technology will likely rejuvenate the lives of disabled and elderly
individuals who currently rely on public transportation or assistance from others to get around.
Not only can self-driving cars be safer and create more freedom for drivers, but they can also
greatly benefit large cities. Since self-driving vehicles can efficiently communicate with one
another, they can identify risks early on and reduce traffic (Gerla). Self-driving cars can also
provide adequate public transportation for cities that lack the infrastructure to support their
resident's needs (Azmat). With the merge of self-driving cars and services like Lyft and Uber,
overcrowding or lack of parking will also be less of an issue. Cities may no longer have to
dedicate so much space to parking infrastructures, which leaves more room for businesses, parks,
or other desirable structures (Fung). Even though the idea of self-driving cars may seem
intimidating, autonomous vehicles can revolutionize the automotive world, remove human error
from driving, reshape transportation systems, and transforming the country’s roadway
infrastructure (Hersman). Our team is highly optimistic about the role that self-driving car
technology will play in all our lives moving forward.
Cons: Self-driving cars have proven to have many appealing attributes; however, it is crucial to
factor in the downfalls as well. With such sophisticated technology, it is no surprise that self-
driving cars come with a large price tag. These cars require advanced engineering, power and
computer requirements, software, and sensors that can add up to more than $100,000, which is
unaffordable for many people. Consumers in the United States spent an average of just over $35k
for new cars in 2016, substantially less than cars with even somewhat developed self-driving
technology (Wakabayashi).
Brian Paden, Information and Decision Systems expert at MIT, recently reported that automation
of vehicles will result in a reduced awareness of the fundamental skills necessary to operate a
vehicle (Paden). Such a reliance on self-driving technology could mean that over time, drivers
are no longer equipped with the skills to operate cars manually. For example, weather conditions
like heavy rain can cause serious damage to the laser sensor mounted on the car’s hood, resulting
in an immediate need for the driver to take control. While this situation is likely to be addressed
and trained for, the fact remains that the lives of passengers will be almost entirely reliant upon
the technology functioning successfully and reliably.
Many individuals are nervous about the idea of handing over all the power to a computer. Even
though 80% of car accidents are due to human error, self-driving technology has a lot to prove
before society will accept it as the safest method of ground transportation. Companies producing
and testing self-driving cars claim the cars will be safer than regular cars for many reasons, but
primarily because they take easily distracted humans out of the driving equations (Litman).
However, the technology is only a decade old and just now starting to experience the
unpredictable situations that drivers can face. Just a month ago, an autonomous car operated by
Uber killed a woman on a street in Tempe, Arizona (Wakabayashi). This event has stimulated
intense conversation in not just the tech community, but in homes across the United States. Self-
driving car technology is progressing, and we are all going to be a part of it.
Implications to Business & Society
Just as self-driving car technology is impacting individuals, so too is it impacting business and
society. Along with providing safer streets for the global community, self-driving cars can also
help improve businesses in several ways. Having a majority of self-driving cars on the road
would free up space dedicated to parking, space that could then be utilized more efficiently to
