I am reading ‘The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies’. Written by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McPhee, it is an eye-opening study of the way our lives have changed as a result of technological advancement.
I have just finished the chapter on driverless cars. The authors recount their experience as passengers in one of Google’s driverless cars. As one can expect, they began their trip with no small amount of nerves. But their nerves gave way to confidence as the journey progressed, and the car did all it was expected to do. And more, actually – for example, it doesn’t have blind spots, as human drivers do, and so navigates its way in supreme safety. Also, its on-board computer identifies, and then reacts, unerringly, to other road users’ blind spots.
The authors are convinced that driverless cars are now not that far away as a reality on our roads. Such a prospect would have been unthinkable even five years ago.
I for one can’t wait for them to get here. I am currently preparing for my dutch driving test, and while I’m sure I would have taken – and passed – the test before the cars arrive on Amsterdam’s streets, I will happily shelve my licence and wholeheartedly embrace this 21st century wonder.
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