Progress towards more autonomous and self-driving cars is fast. Here we look at the benefits of self-driving cars and how they could make our lives and our world better.

1. 5 Ways Self-Driving Cars
Could Make Our World
(And Our Lives) Better

2. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
IntroductionIntroduction
Progress towards more autonomous and self-driving cars is fast. Here we look at the
benefits of self-driving cars and how they could make our lives and our world better.
5 Ways Self-Driving Cars Could Make Our World
(And Our Lives) Better

3. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
IntroductionIntroduction
With more than 40 companies actively investing in autonomous vehicle technology, it’s
fair to say that most traditional car manufacturers – plus the odd tech heavyweight, like
Google parent company Alphabet – are busy chasing the self-driving car dream.
As a result, we’re likely to see the first truly autonomous, commercially viable driverless
cars hit the market in the coming years. If that happens, autonomous vehicles have the
potential to improve our world and make everyday life that little bit easier. Here are five
ways I think society will benefit from autonomous cars.
5 Ways Self-Driving Cars Could Make Our World
(And Our Lives) Better

4. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
1. Making our roads safer
While there have been some high-profile cases of autonomous vehicles being involved in
tragic fatal accidents, data suggests that self-driving cars will ultimately make our roads
safer. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show
that driver error is by far the biggest cause of road traffic accidents, due to factors like
miscalculations, errors of judgment, speeding, drink-driving, and phone use.
In fact, an alarming 94 percent of serious crashes are down to human error. Fully
autonomous vehicles would take human error out of the equation, thereby making our
roads safer not just for drivers, but also passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. For that
reason, the NHTSA has championed the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles.

5. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
2. Easing parking woes
It's also hoped that autonomous vehicles will improve parking in congested cities because
driverless vehicles could simply drop passengers off and move on. This becomes
increasingly realistic if the motorists of the future choose not to purchase their own self-
driving vehicle, but instead make use of automated ride-sharing or taxi services.
As an added bonus, with fewer people needing to find a parking space, land that is
currently used for huge car parks could be repurposed for much-needed housing or
attractive public spaces.
With this in mind, the city of Chandler in Arizona has already changed its zoning laws to
accommodate autonomous vehicles; developers will now be able to build properties with
fewer parking spaces, so long as they provide suitable curb-side passenger loading zones.
In other words, the buildings of the future may no longer be flanked by huge, ugly car
parks, and will instead favor dedicated areas for drop-offs and pick-ups.

6. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
3. Making the daily commute more bearable
When we reach the point where human intervention behind the wheel is no longer
needed, autonomous vehicles will drastically improve the daily commute. Imagine, instead
of sitting behind the wheel, you’ll be able to stretch out in the back, get ahead on some
work, or simply relax and catch up on your latest Netflix obsession.
When you think that Americans spend 19 full working days a year stuck in traffic on their
commute, that’s an awful lot of time commuters will be able to claw back for themselves.

7. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
4. Reducing emissions (well, in theory)
In the future, with the majority of self-driving vehicles being electric or hybrids, and given
the fact that autonomous vehicles drive more efficiently than humans, we could see a
serious reduction in emissions. That’s the hope, anyway. One study by the University of
California, Davis suggests that automated vehicles could reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by as much as 80 percent by 2050 – but only if the vehicles are electric and shared.
If we don't transition towards more shared vehicles, then the worrying prediction is
emissions could actually increase (by as much as 50 percent by 2050, according to the
same study). This is because self-driving cars could make car ownership possible for
people who cannot drive, potentially increasing the number of vehicles and miles driven.
Therefore, this benefit is far from a foregone conclusion. As a society, we’ll need to rethink
our attitude towards car ownership if we’re to reap the full environmental benefits of
autonomous vehicles.

8. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
5. Cutting domestic air travel
Volvo’s 360c concept car, which was unveiled in 2018, provides a glimpse of a future in
which self-driving cars are no longer just cars – they're places to work, sleep, and relax.
Almost a cross between a hotel room and the first-class cabin of a plane. Volvo’s vision is
one of a luxurious, driverless future in which a car can pick you up and take you wherever
you need to go, potentially eliminating the need for short-haul, domestic air travel.
With Volvo’s concept, you would be able to order a car, pre-order food and drink, and
then recline and relax in the back while the car transports you to your destination. You
then arrive fresh-faced and relaxed, having endured none of the stress and exhaustion of
plane travel. Particularly for journeys that could be made overnight, this vision could
seriously disrupt the travel industry – and cut the carbon footprint associated with travel.
This move towards autonomous vehicles is just one of 25 technology trends that I believe
will transform our society. Read more about these key trends – including plenty of real-
world examples – in my new book, Tech Trends in Practice: The 25 Technologies That Are
Driving The 4th Industrial Revolution.

9. Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2020 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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