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How Will Self-Driving Cars Disrupt Our Lives?

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Published on January 11, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

In a densely populated country like India, accidents are a common problem. However, the future has a silver lining. It is estimated that by 2050, the adoption of autonomous vehicle technology can reduce accidents by almost 90%. It is expected that driverless cars will remove human motorists from the equation, bringing about radical changes in safety and society, given how central automobiles are to modern civilisation. Apart from fewer accidents, here are some other changes that we will see with widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles. And as long as we continue to use conventional cars, getting car insurance is a must to avoid legal hassles as well as stay protected in case of accidents or adverse situations.

1. Fewer personal cars

Car ownership costs are rising, and so is the overall stress of ownership. Maintaining the integrity of the vehicle, getting it cleaned regularly, and finding a storage and parking space for the vehicle not only implies a financial cost, but also stresses out the owner. Not to mention the ever-rising cost of fuel. Hence, with fleets of autonomous vehicles providing low-cost, sustainable transportation, personal car ownership is expected to decline. Subscription models might substitute traditional car ownership, increasing the convenience of owning a car.

2. Change in urban design

Because cars are central to moving around in urban areas, city infrastructure has evolved to cater to the movement of cars and parking spaces, at the cost of space for pedestrians. As autonomous vehicles are more efficient and precise then human-driven vehicles, roads can be made narrower, keeping aside more space for other activities. Furthermore, with fewer personal cars, the requirement for parking spaces will decrease, leaving more space for parks and recreational activities.

3. Portable businesses

Autonomous technology will also impact bigger vehicles – ones that can be used as mobile offices, or business spaces, that could move to the customer. It’s no longer hard to imagine on-demand gyms, grocery stores, apparel stores, and hotel rooms being driven around the city, from one customer to the next. New businesses and ways of delivering services to end consumers will evolve with this ease of portability. Moreover, you will be able to conduct work in the vehicle, during your commute, ensuring your time is efficiently utilised.

4. Independent living

Autonomous vehicles will be equipped with the latest technological innovations such as lasers, sensors, scanners, cameras, radars, etc., to comprehensively understand their surroundings. This will enable elderly people, persons with disabilities, and the visually impaired, to travel safely and independently from one place to another. Furthermore, the cars will be smart enough to calculate the best spot for pickup and drop based on the passenger’s limitations.

5. Better living arrangements

One of the major reasons why cities become densely populated is because everybody wants to stay near their place of work. But without the need to drive your vehicle, you can stay further away at a potentially better place, pay a lower amount as rent, buy a bigger house, get work done in the car, and enjoy less traffic. This will greatly improve the quality of life for a large section of the population while also reducing the resource burden on congested cities.

6. Fewer organ donors

This is perhaps the most surprising change that will be brought about by autonomous vehicles. With safer driving conditions, there will be fewer accidents. Considering that a significant number of organs are made available from fatal car crashes, there could be a shortage of organs to begin with. But harvesting techniques are improving, while organs are also being grown in the lab, so this may not be as much of an issue.

Conclusion

While there is growing excitement and momentum for self-driving cars, its allied industries are caught in the middle of the transition. Car insurance providers and car manufacturers will address concerns regarding liability, reliability and resolution in a whole new way. The legal framework around self-driving cars and their use on public roads will need a fresh look. However, what is certain is that customers will benefit from reduced transportation costs, increased convenience, and a better quality of life.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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