The development of autonomous cars and the role of automotive industry experts
Autonomous cars, otherwise known as self-driving cars, are largely debated in today’s society. They signal an exciting futuristic avenue, yet many are understandably hesitant about the prospect. The technology, although it has advanced a long way, is still relatively new, which is why many feel uncertain about putting them into use.
Having said this, self-driving cars are very much on the horizon and with government support and appropriate legislation and regulations in place, it’s likely that they will become a part of society sooner than we might think. As a result, those in the auto industry, from mechanics to technicians, are preparing for this possibility.
The role of motor trade professionals
- Upkeep and repairs technicians: Despite reassurance that autonomous vehicles will be designed to be more dependable and with optimal safety features, repairs technicians will still need to prepare for a new demand for skills in this area. To keep up with changing legal requirements, motor traders will need to have sufficient road risk insurance in place so that they are able to drive any vehicle under custody or control for trade and business purposes.
- Training and education: Training resources will need to be updated to align with the increase in autonomous vehicles. It’s crucial that those working in this industry are up to date with changes in regulations as well as any technical requirements. This training will need to be ongoing due to the evolving nature of automotives. We’ve already seen how well EVs have advanced.
Challenges and advancements
As with any game-changing advances in society, there are bound to be challenges. When it comes to automation in vehicles, there’s a spectrum. And the more complex, thoroughly automated vehicles will inevitably pose greater challenges. It’s possible that different stages of automation will be gradually introduced to new vehicles over time.
Passenger discomfort is another element. Inexperience with complex vehicle settings may cause people to feel out of their depth and potentially unsafe. On top of this, spontaneous changes to a set journey, such as accommodating drop-offs, may not be achievable and could cause issues and frustrations. Plus, it isn’t uncommon to reach a destination and experience an issue with parking. Machines can only apply a certain level of intelligence to unforeseen circumstances.
Regardless, autonomous vehicles create a significant opportunity for those with the expertise in information technology and have the potential to disrupt the market in a big way. This relies on the merging of skills to address a gap in the market in way that provides longevity.
To conclude…
While it’s clear that there’s still a way to go, the auto industry moves fast, so preparation is key to help alleviate the strain that autonomous vehicles could have on the industry.
