Have you noticed the tension in San Francisco lately?
The one between man and machine? The situation where there are driverless cars alongside people who are driving themselves?
Yeah, that one.
Are you aware of what’s been happening with the regulations that were passed, and the people trying to prevent these cars from driving by using cones?
It’s almost like a war out there.
Many people don’t want these cars driving alongside them in the Bay Area, though others are more welcoming.
I don’t live in the city, but as someone who loves emerging technological advancements, I have my own opinions and concerns. It’s natural for people to fear changes and technologies that may not seem beneficial to society.
I understand where that fear comes from.
I live in Phoenix, Arizona, another city with these driverless vehicles. I’ve taken a ride in them a few times, and so have my friends. Each time, it’s been a vivid experience, one where I can’t believe there’s no one driving me.
However, one of my friends didn’t have a smooth ride.
After we met at our drop-off location, she told me her car swerved into the oncoming lane in a 25 mph neighborhood. She said she didn’t trust these cars and probably wouldn’t ride in one again.
I don’t blame her; these cars are new, and won’t be perfect for a long time.
I also experienced a weird jolt on a high-speed road. The car nudged to the right into the right-side lane for no apparent reason. It felt questionable, but that one experience didn’t stop me from using it again.
I want to be part of history and tell future generations I was among the first to witness its progress. To me, these cars are like infants—they’re learning.
And like any infant, they will make mistakes. But if we don’t let them learn, how will they improve and become the autonomous vehicles we believe they can be?
I don’t know exactly what the people in San Francisco are feeling, but I think their concerns are valid and must be heard.
However, I don’t condone violence or vandalism as a response. Sometimes, placing a cone causes more disruption than expected.
This tension stems from a mix of everything.
If we want these cars to continue driving, we need to help people understand how they can coexist with these vehicles, and companies should listen to the cities and their frustrations.
Both sides need to play their part.
A future cannot exist if one does everything, and it cannot happen if no one does anything.