Not so long ago, we were just getting acquainted with automated features, like self-driving cars. Even back then, this technology seemed like a stretch. Luckily, companies like Tesla were giving drivers a first-hand glimpse at an autonomous world with their AutoPilot function. And frankly, we liked what we saw.
But one pandemic later and an incessant chip shortage has changed the market entirely. In other words, the focus of the automotive industry has shifted to meet with the times. Now, less headlines are praising autonomous advancements and more words are spent addressing inflation risks and limited inventories.
Do we love this moment in automotive history? Not necessarily. Especially with record-breaking MSRPs and expensive repairs costs. But recently we were reminded that its not all gloom and doom. While automakers have maintained focus on getting production back on track, engineers have spent the last few years mastering the complexities of automated driving.
Are all the kinks worked out? Definitely not. But with a projected value of $60 billion by 2030, it’s clear the autonomous market is bound to expand, and fast. At the center of automated driving has always been the concern for safety. Yet these days, driver assist technologies are giving us plenty of hope that passenger safety can improve.
Keep reading to evaluate the pros and cons of automated vehicles. While this topic is often a center of debate between car enthusiasts, we hope you can stay Swiss in this case.
Pros of automated vehicles
Here are the main pros of autonomous vehicles:
- Better prevention of accidents
- Traffic efficiency
- Safe mode of transportation for disabled or elderly drivers
- A great option for cities with limited public transportation
- Reduced car expenses
- Less braking and accelerating will help reduce carbon footprint
Cons of self-driving cars
Here are the top concerns for self-driving vehicles:
- Security issues & potential for hacking
- A substantial job loss among for those in the transportation industry (i.e. bus drivers, taxi drivers, and delivery drivers)
- A fully autonomous vehicle would likely have a high entry point for purchase
- Inability to predict unforeseeable human decisions
- Software or machinery errors while driving
Overview of automated vehicles
The future of self-driving vehicles has just begun. Yet the same problem that was raised years ago still exists today: Are Self-Driving Cars Safe? We still don’t have that answer. But the good news is automakers are investing in the future of automated driving with safety in mind. With our analysis of the pros and cons of automated vehicles, it’s clear these days you can debate both sides.
We’d love to hear your take! Take a second to share your reaction below or leave a comment about automated driving.