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The Debate of Self-Driving Cars

This month in Tempe, Arizona, a self-driving Uber collided into and killed a pedestrian and caused an uproar of reactions debating the fate of self-driving cars. In many people’s eyes, self-driving cars are extremely resourceful and effective, others believe this new technology to be hazardous to the public and should not be permitted. Several car companies have already implemented an automotive feature to their vehicles(a list here).

The idea of autonomous cars has been around quite some time, beginning in the 1939, when General Motors had an exibit, Norman Bel Geddes created the first self-driving car that was controlled by electromagnetic fields(more information about Geddes). However, just recently companies have been permitted to use these features even completely without a driver present.

The Uber Volvo that hit the Pedestrian apparently had a flaw of not detecting Jaywalkers and a spokeswoman for Uber reported that Uber’s automated program has “adopted critical program improvements to further prioritize safety.” Unfortunately, the public has heard this before due to the 37 Uber vehicle crashed from 2016 to 2018. So, do you believe it is or will be possible to create the most accurate self-driving cars in order to ensure people’s safety? Is it ethically right to have these autonomous cars in populated cities and endangering civilians? Should this industry continue further and are self driving cars more helpful or hurtful?

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