While the idea of driverless vehicles might seem like a solution to the global pandemic, the reality is that this is not the case, at least not for passenger transport. Public transit vehicles are often seen as germ-carrying enclosures, and the hope is that driverless vehicles could provide a solution by moving passengers without a driver. However, this is still a work in progress, with the majority of operations currently having 1-2 safety operators in the vehicle. As a result, most driverless technology companies have taken their vehicles off the road for testing or actual deployments (see link here).
For now, the safest way to travel and avoid the Coronavirus is by using a private vehicle. However, this has the potential to cause an increase in single occupancy vehicle usage, congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, there has been a decrease in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions due to the “shelter-in-place” orders in most places. This shows the positive environmental impact of reducing people’s movements, among other activities, as outlined in this article.
On the other hand, driverless vehicles present an opportunity for goods movement, which is often overshadowed by the focus on passenger transport. Many driverless technology companies have been assisting Chinese communities by delivering essential goods, such as groceries and medical supplies. This has accelerated the adoption and acceptance of this technology due to empty streets and a lack of labor (see example article here).
While the technology still requires development, it’s interesting to see the potential benefits of the Coronavirus in relation to driverless vehicles. It’s important to remember that driverless vehicles are not a cure for all of the world’s problems. Do you have any ideas for other potential driverless applications today?
