Rama Krishna Sangem
Driverless cars or taxis are a wonder to people everywhere in the world. The Gulf countries are eagerly waiting for them so is us in India. But, people of California in the US where these self-driving autonomous cars are there already, it has become a big headache for them. Unless certain basic changes are made to these futuristic cars, public is not in a position to bear with them. The situation is gone to the extent of people want a ban on them immediately.
Tesla chief Elon Musk has been working on and promoting these driverless cars for long. First Chinese showed interest in them and now many other countries are in pipeline to buy them. India is one of these countries. Tesla is still evolving them for safety and security reasons. Meanwhile, Google and its parent Alphabet came up with prototypes and they were successful too. It floated a company, Waymo in the US and started introducing these driverless cars in select cities.
California is one of them. These driverless cars are running on California streets for sometime now. But some features of these autonomous cars have driving people mad – as these electric vehicles have become headache for them. For example, the sounds of the cars charging their batteries or honking continuously on streets – for both forward and reverse sounds – have become big nuisance. Moreover the parking areas of these self driving cars have become security threat to people nearby.
Waymo, makers of driverless taxis
Waymo is a company focused on developing and deploying autonomous driving technology, specifically for ride-hailing services. They operate driverless taxis in several cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, under the name Waymo One. Their vehicles utilize a suite of sensors, including cameras, radar, and LiDAR, to perceive their surroundings and navigate safely. In fact, Waymo is a strong competitor to Telsa.
Here are the concerns of driverless cars
However, some California residents are expressing frustration and anger towards driverless cars, particularly those operated by Waymo. This discontent stems from various issues, including noise pollution from charging stations and vehicles, safety concerns, and a lack of community input regarding the deployment of these vehicles.
Residents of Santa Monica, where Waymo operates, have complained about the incessant beeping noises from the driverless cars, especially when backing up, a requirement for safety. The charging stations for the Waymo vehicles have also been identified as a significant source of noise pollution, disrupting residents’ sleep and daily lives. While Waymo has taken some measures to mitigate noise, such as reducing speeds and using quieter vacuums, residents feel more needs to be done.
Studies have shown that self-driving cars have a higher accident rate per mile driven compared to human-driven vehicles according to Consumer Shield. Driverless cars can be vulnerable during protests or unrest, as they may not be able to navigate or evade dangerous situations like human drivers.
Safety recalls
Waymo has had to recall vehicles for software upgrades to prevent accidents, highlighting potential safety issues. Many residents feel they were not adequately consulted before the deployment of Waymo vehicles in their neighborhoods. The presence of driverless cars, especially with the noise and potential safety issues, has negatively impacted the quality of life for some residents. Residents have resorted to blocking Waymo vehicles from entering charging lots and even engaging in confrontations with the company and law enforcement.
In conclusion, while self-driving technology holds promise, the current implementation in some California communities has led to significant pushback from residents due to noise, safety concerns, and a perceived lack of community input.
Unless these concerns are addressed properly, people may not welcome driverless cars or taxis anywhere in the world.
