The Future of Driving: Autonomous Cars vs Human Drivers

The Intersection Encounter

At the corner of Iris Ave and Folsom in North Boulder, my Model 3 Tesla was autonomously navigating the road when a unique situation unfolded. Two human drivers and my self-driving Tesla were all preparing to make a left turn. However, as we approached the turn, the two human drivers deviated from the standard traffic rule, veering wide and turning into the right-hand lane.

Remarkably, my Tesla adhered to the correct lane discipline, staying on the inside lane as indicated in the driver manual. It was a moment that made me wish my 15-year-old son, Milo, who is learning to drive, had been present to witness the impeccable driving behavior displayed by the autonomous vehicle.

The Minds Behind the Wheel

Milo, with his learner’s permit, is at a stage where he is gradually developing the memory, reflexes, and driving habits that autonomous cars have already mastered. While my son is in the process of honing his driving skills, he is less likely than the Tesla to experience sudden disengagement or require intervention to resume control.

The juxtaposition of the human brain with millions of years of evolutionary biology and the sophisticated algorithms crafted by engineers in autonomous vehicles sheds light on the future of driving and cognition.

Safety Concerns and Progress

Currently, the Tesla has been involved in accidents, unlike my son. A report from the federal government revealed that Tesla’s Autopilot technology was implicated in 956 crashes and 29 fatalities between January 2018 and August 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cautioned that Autopilot’s system controls may not be adequate for a driver assistance system requiring constant human oversight.

Meanwhile, innovators like Elon Musk are forging ahead with plans to introduce autonomous driving technologies to the global market. Musk recently concluded discussions in Beijing to pave the way for Autopilot integration on Chinese roads. Numerous other automotive companies, including General Motors, BMW, Mercedes, Lincoln, and Kia, are also developing their versions of semi-autonomous driving systems tailored for specific driving conditions, such as highway driving.