25 Jun Internet Self-driven Vehicles
The Internet of Things for Smart Cars
Self-driven vehicles (smart cars) have become more prevalent, they are changing the way consumers drive and how they think about mobility. These vehicles also have important implications for marketers seeking to use them as platforms for customer outreach, targeted messaging, ecommerce and personalized services.
Fully autonomous mass-market vehicles are still several years away. However, a growing number of vehicles now contain partially autonomous “smart” internet of things (IoT) technologies—including parking assistance, crash avoidance and adaptive cruise control—that can help improve vehicle safety.
Smart Mobility – Self-driven Vehicles
Both traditional auto companies and those from outside the industry are jockeying for position in the smart and connected car market. Some automakers are attempting to reposition themselves as “smart mobility” software and services providers, but innovation is also coming through collaborative efforts and partnerships.
A Safer, Faster – Cleaner World
By 2020, there will be 250 million IoT-connected cars on the world’s streets, which will cut down on traffic accidents solely due to the multitude of eternally aware sensors and smart apps. Vehicles will avoid collisions by communicating their position on the road to each other. Furthermore, maintaining perfect spacing between vehicles will ease traffic congestion.
Traffic Jams
This shortened gap could potentially save 90 billion hours per year from traffic jams that currently waste $1 trillion on fuel, generate a whopping 220 million metric tons of hazardous carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air, and damage productivity. It will ease the stress of commuting to work, driving children to school, or running errands. In fact, with time and further advancement, the smart car could even be sent off on its own, remotely controlled and monitored from afar.
Combined with sensors in parking spaces, smart technology will also cut down on fuel costs, spacing, and time. Locations of available parking spots will be sent in real time to nearby vehicles, enabling drivers to check availability in advance. About 30% of traffic congestion is caused by drivers searching for a parking space, which smart technology and IoT will swiftly eliminate.
Each year, 1.3 million people are killed in traffic accidents. A full 90% of these are caused by human error, which is often sparked by physical and emotional factors such as stress, fatigue, recklessness, or distracted driving. Smart cars will eliminate this human factor. Self-driven vehicles connected and controlled by apps and sensors will be permanently alert and responsive to changing conditions.
Self-driven Vehicles
However, perfecting self-driving technology will take time, and when it will be achieved is an open question. Accidents inevitably happen with any technology, so it remains to be seen how driverless cars will change the insurance industry. It’s possible that the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of manufacturers. “Human error” coverage will change to “technical failure,” causing companies to alter their goals.