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Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

Tech 2024-08-02 12:10:00 Source: Network
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Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?IntroductionOn the streets of Wuhan, a fleet of taxis without drivers weave through the traffic. They don't engage in small talk with passengers, nor do they complain about traffic jams

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

Introduction

On the streets of Wuhan, a fleet of taxis without drivers weave through the traffic. They don't engage in small talk with passengers, nor do they complain about traffic jams. These are the driverless taxis, known as "Robotaxi," which have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Since the official launch of the sixth generation of driverless vehicles on May 15, 2023, "Robotaxi" has quickly become a hot topic, sparking lively discussions among the public about the future prospects of driverless vehicles.

The "Unruly" "Magical" Taxi

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

The emergence of "Robotaxi" has brought a sense of novelty to people, but it has also exposed some problems. A video circulating online made "Robotaxi" the target of public criticism. In the video, a "Robotaxi" attempts to turn right, but the right turn lane is crowded with people riding electric bicycles. Human drivers might slightly adjust the steering wheel to avoid these people waiting to cross. However, "Robotaxi" stubbornly remained in place because its program judged that there were obstacles ahead and could not pass, leading to a traffic jam behind it.

This incident has raised questions about whether driverless cars are sufficiently flexible. Some believe that driverless cars are too rigid and lack adaptability. Others argue that at least they don't suffer from road rage like human drivers, providing a safer and more stable travel experience for passengers.

However, if it's a fire truck or an ambulance that gets blocked, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, people can't help but worry: Do driverless cars have the ability to identify special vehicles? In response, many believe that artificial intelligence can easily identify special vehicles.

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

Sudden Accidents: A Test of AI Intelligence

Just as people were enthusiastically discussing the flexibility and safety of driverless cars, a more explosive news broke on July 7, pushing "Robotaxi" to a new tipping point. A "Robotaxi" was preparing to drive forward when a rider on an electric bicycle suddenly ran a red light, causing the two vehicles to collide. More alarmingly, the driverless car didn't trigger its emergency system but instead hit the rider directly.

This accident has raised deep concerns among the public about the ability of driverless cars to handle emergencies. Some believe that driverless cars only follow programmed instructions, lacking the flexibility and adaptability of human drivers, becoming a nightmare for red-light runners. Others argue that the problem lies in AI intelligence's inability to effectively deal with unexpected situations. Still, others have raised deeper questions: What would happen if the traffic lights go out? How would a driverless car navigate?

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

However, rational voices have pointed out that one accident should not be used to completely discredit driverless technology. After all, car accidents happen every year. The key lies in constantly improving and refining this technology.

Driverless Vehicles: A Double-Edged Sword

Objectively, driverless technology is indeed a double-edged sword, offering both advantages and disadvantages.

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

Advantages:

  • Safety Guarantee: Driverless cars can effectively reduce traffic accidents caused by drunk driving, fatigue driving, or distraction. Statistics show that over 90% of traffic accidents are caused by human factors. Driverless cars can leverage sensors, cameras, and other devices to monitor the surrounding environment in real-time and make safe driving decisions.
  • Driving Experience: Driverless cars won't exhibit behaviors like smoking or getting angry, allowing passengers to enjoy a more comfortable, safe, and quiet travel experience.

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

  • Cost-effectiveness: Compared to traditional taxis, "Robotaxi" is more affordable, with a 10-kilometer journey costing approximately 4 to 16 yuan, significantly cheaper than ride-hailing services.
  • Fairness and Justice: Driverless cars won't engage in behaviors like refusing passengers or overcharging, allowing passengers to enjoy fairer and more just travel services.

Disadvantages:

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

  • Lack of Flexibility: Currently, driverless cars are unable to respond as flexibly as human drivers in unexpected situations. For example, they may react slowly or fail to make the right judgment in cases like road construction, accidents, or pedestrians suddenly appearing, leading to traffic accidents or congestion.
  • Technical Limitations: At present, driverless technology is still under development and refinement, with many technical challenges remaining. For instance, how can vehicles navigate in harsh weather conditions, make decisions in complex traffic scenarios, and ensure network security? These issues require further solutions.
  • Job Impact: With the widespread adoption of driverless technology, the traditional taxi industry faces a significant impact, potentially leading to job losses for many drivers.

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

A Little Interlude: The Embarrassment of Drunk Driving Checks

Beyond safety and flexibility issues, driverless cars have sparked some amusing incidents. Some netizens have asked what would happen if they encounter a drunk driving check while riding a "Robotaxi." Unexpectedly, some have actually experienced such a situation! On the evening of July 3, a passenger riding a "Robotaxi" encountered a traffic police checkpoint for drunk driving. The police officer signaled the vehicle to stop, but "Robotaxi" completely ignored the instruction and continued driving, not giving the passenger a chance to open the window. When the police officer saw that it was a driverless car, they were also baffled: Should they stop it or not?

This little story also reflects a virtue of driverless cars: at least there won't be drunk driving, reducing problems caused by drunk driving.

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

Looking Ahead: Challenges of Technological and Social Integration

The future development of driverless technology is full of opportunities and challenges. It offers people a more convenient, safe, and efficient mode of transportation and brings new development directions to the transportation industry. However, we must also recognize that the development of driverless technology requires overcoming many technical barriers and needs to be effectively coordinated with the society's legal regulations, ethical values, and other aspects.

How to Protect the Interests of Traditional Taxi Drivers?

Driverless Taxis: The Disruptive Vehicles Driving Towards the Future?

The widespread adoption of driverless cars will have a significant impact on the traditional taxi industry, potentially leading to job losses for many drivers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop appropriate policies and measures to help traditional taxi drivers transition, such as providing skills training, entrepreneurial support, and other assistance.

How to Improve Relevant Laws and Regulations?

With the promotion and application of driverless cars, the existing traffic regulations need to be adjusted and improved accordingly. For example, how to define the responsible party for driverless vehicles? How to handle liability determination in case of accidents involving driverless cars? How to integrate driverless cars into road traffic management? These issues require further research and the development of corresponding legal regulations.

How to Address Public Acceptance Issues?

Public opinions on driverless cars vary widely. Some are excited about it, while others have concerns. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen communication with the public, enhance their understanding of driverless technology, and improve their acceptance.

Conclusion:

The development of driverless technology is both exciting and challenging. It acts like a mirror, reflecting the various contradictions and conflicts between technological advancement and real society. We look forward to the future when driverless technology becomes more mature and truly brings more convenience and safety to people's lives.

But before that, we need to be patient and give this new technology more time and space to grow and improve. After all, every major technological innovation goes through a process of exploration and maturation. Let's wait and see how this transportation revolution led by artificial intelligence ultimately changes our lives.


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