tech
I was wary of driverless cars and their tech overlords – but they could give me a different future
For those of us who can’t drive due to disabilities, the drawbacks of these vehicles are vastly outweighed by the possibilities they offer
TL;DR
- Waymo is testing self-driving cars in London, with plans for public launch by Waymo and Wayve.
- Automated vehicles (AVs) aim to provide independence for people with disabilities who cannot drive.
- Transportation barriers limit employment and social participation for disabled individuals.
- Concerns include surveillance, potential misuse of data, and job losses for taxi and delivery drivers.
- Recent data suggests self-driving cars may be involved in fewer crashes with injuries compared to human drivers.
- Proper regulation and government oversight are crucial for addressing the moral and societal complications of AVs.
- The technology is seen as a potential vehicle for social inclusion and participation for disabled people.
- An accessibility advisory panel with representation from the disability spectrum is proposed.