Baby You Can Drive My Car - Driverless Cars

DRIVERLESS CARS

In July 2014 the government announced that it will be financing a £10 million scheme to allow driverless cars on public roads in the UK. From January 2015, working with the Departments of Transport and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, up to 3 UK cities will be selected to pilot this plan (full details here). In order to carry out the pilot, the Highway Code has been redrafted to include that driverless cars are allowed given that “they can be overridden or switched off by the driver” at any time. Therefore, as yet, a fully qualified driver must be present in the ‘driverless’ car, at all times.

Driverless vehicles are not currently being piloted with a specific directive to offer further freedom to those with disabilities. In fact, they are more directed towards exploring fully automated freight transport, minimising congestion, benefitting the environment, and improving safety through minimising human error created by tiredness or distractions.

Driverless cars have been developed by a number of companies in different countries, most prolifically Google in the USA - who have introduced an electric ‘pod’ car, without a steering wheel, accelerator or break pedals – a simple stop-and-start automated car, where you enter your destination and press “GO”. There are also Intelligent Transport Systems where driverless cars contain all of the normal car controls, and the driver can override the computer with their own actions at any time they wish.

It can be easily argued that it’s unnerving to entrust one’s safety on the road to a computer, guided by a GPS, wireless technology and spatial laser sensors. But what could a driverless car mean for the autonomy of those with sensory disabilities such as blindness, or who have physical difficulties operating the mechanisms of a car?

Google have produced a video in which Steve Mahan, who is 95% blind and legally unable to drive, tries out one of their driverless cars. His experience shows the real potential for human benefit to the initially discomfiting idea:

As yet, it would be necessary that the ‘driver’ of the driverless car in the UK is fully licensed – presenting an immediate barrier for independent travel for those with a sight impairment. However, it remains to be seen what impact the UK trials will have on legislation and the use of this technology in future. As these technologies are piloted and we learn more about how they can profitably function within society, the advantages which those with disabilities can expect from the driverless car could expand: from simply allowing someone to feel the sensation of being ‘behind the wheel’ again, to imparting a much larger degree of personal freedom than ever before. Imagine getting out of a car at your destination and leaving the car to park on its own – eliminating the need for disabled parking. Driverless cars could mean massive changes to what travelling means for people with disabilities.

Only time will tell what finer implications driverless cars may have for the future of transport and enabled living... But we might not be waiting much longer to find out.

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Baby You Can Drive My Car - Driverless Cars

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