Economics: The Case For Self-Driving Cars

 

(Drivebycuriosity) - There is a lot resistance against self-driving cars ( twitter). The skeptics don`t  trust computers, they believe more in human drivers. The aversion towards self-driving vehicles is often emotional and aggressive. The opponents follow the luddites who have been fighting against technological progress for centuries. The technology haters are called "Maschinenstürmer" (machine stormers) in German. Even one of the most popular heavy metal groups named themselves: "Rage Against the Machine". 

The skepsis is unfounded. Self-driving cars cause fewer accidents. Computers have a much shorter response time than humans. They don`t drink and drive, they don´t text while driving. Robots don`t drive aggressively, they don´t take drugs, they aren´t distracted, they don`t feel the need to impress by speedy driving. Self-driving cars do not engage in car races, they don´t do suicide by driving, they don´t fall asleep while driving and they adapt their speed to the traffic situation. They behave strictly rational.

Computers don´t make mistakes and they don´t behave unlawful. A computer needs just a nanosecond to respond to a surprising event (like a child on the street), much faster than a human brain. And with the assistance of sensors the computer can respond to the traffic situation (hydroplaning, ice, potholes) much better than a human driver. Fewer accidents mean less lost lives and save a lot of costs for the economy. 

Self-driving cars are more efficient, because computers can calculate the optimum speed, track and driving rhythm. Therefore they use less energy to move from place A to place B. Self-driving cars will burn less gasoline which reduces the consumption of fossilized energy and create less exhaust, dampening the greenhouse effect.

Fewer accidents will translate into lower insurance costs, so driving will get cheaper which also will reduce the costs for Uber, Lyft and taxi rides. China`s Baidu already started offering driver-less taxi rides in Beijing and other cities ( cnbc). 

Welcome to the self-driving car.