Time spent driving becomes "free time"

autonomous driving technology frees the driver from driving. Driverless driving is now possible with an autonomous driving system that replaces all of the driver's perception of the driving route and vehicle surroundings, judgment of deceleration and turning based on that perception, and control such as steering and accelerator work based on judgment. I do.

Released from the duty of driving, the driver is effectively a 'passenger' and can use the time freely while driving. Conventional driving time becomes disposable time.

While traveling, drivers can check their smartphones, read books, watch movies, play games, work, eat, sleep, etc., and use their time effectively.

Enjoy various contents in the car

autonomous driving cars will no longer need to be equipped with conventional manual control devices such as steering and accelerator pedals, and the concept of a "driver's seat" will disappear. In addition, since the autonomous driving car will basically be an EV (electric vehicle) specification, the engine, which was said to be the heart of the car, will disappear, and the motor and battery will take its place. Motors have a high degree of freedom in layout, so it is expected that the degree of freedom in designing the interior space will increase significantly.

Furthermore, the instrument panel will no longer be required to display most of the instruments, and the window will no longer need to ensure a clear view. Self-autonomous driving cars are capable of disrupting the design of traditional automobiles.

This degree of freedom in the design and design of the interior space makes it possible to create a private space that meets the preferences of the driver and other occupants whose travel time has become disposable.

An easy-to-understand example is entertainment specifications. Large curved displays can be placed on the front, sides, and ceiling of the car to create a private theater. autonomous driving cars are also equipped with high-speed communication functions, so you can use distribution services such as movies and music.

In addition, it seems possible that the development of games using location information will progress as an entertainment function unique to autonomous driving cars that accompany movement.

From the perspective of utilizing location information, the birth of a new business that distributes advertisements for information on retail stores and restaurants located near driving routes is also expected. By linking services with delivery robots, etc., new shopping services may be created, such as delivering products to moving vehicles and cooking.

Lower cost of travel

Autonomous autonomous driving technology that enables driverless operation will maximize its effects in the field of mobile services such as taxis and buses. This is because it is possible to reduce costs significantly by reducing labor costs for drivers.

全国タクシー・ハイヤー連合会の調査によると、タクシーにおける人件費は原価の70％超を占めているという。この割合がドライバーのみを指すとは限らないため一概には言えないが、営業費用のうちドライバーの人件費が相当の割合を占めていることは想像に難くない。

According to US research firm Ark Investment, the cost borne by passengers will drop to one-tenth if taxis become autonomous driving. It's a simple calculation, but if fares for various transportation services, including taxis, drop to one-tenth, demand for transportation services is expected to increase dramatically.

Total cost of vehicles by service (Source: ARK Invest)

Owners of privately-owned cars may also consider the possibility of a series of cases in which they decide to sell their own cars after comparing maintenance costs and other factors. This is because most privately owned cars spend a lot of time sleeping in garages, and most people use them for short trips to work or shopping on a daily basis.

If you don't consider the desire to own a car as a "private car owner," most of them would seriously consider shifting to autonomous driving transportation services. With taxis and car sharing, you can use it immediately when you want to move, and you can secure free movement with a one-way system (drop-off system).

As autonomous driving technology advances and spreads, automobiles will gradually shift from being “owned” to being “used”.

everyone can move freely

autonomous driving cars spread, transportation services will become more convenient, and demand for private cars will decline. Since there will be no need for "driving operations" when moving around, there will be no need to hold a driver's license.

Elderly people who have lost their ability to drive will be able to move around freely without having to force themselves to own a car. So do people with disabilities and children. autonomous driving technology will create a transportation society where everyone can move freely.

Affordable goods delivery service

Cost reductions due to autonomous driving technology are not limited to the movement of people. It also affects the movement of goods. In the logistics industry, which faces a shortage of drivers, especially in the last mile, efforts are underway to commercialize home delivery robots equipped with autonomous driving technology.

As with mobility services, the introduction of autonomous driving technology is likely to significantly reduce the cost of goods delivery. Declining delivery fees will greatly stimulate demand for mail-order sales, including EC (electronic commerce), and food delivery, which has been booming due to the impact of the COVID-19, may also change its demand to a firmer one. do not have.

In addition, there is a possibility that daily shopping such as nearby supermarkets will change to home delivery. It's an exaggerated analogy, but the drop in delivery fees makes people less financially reluctant to have a single daikon delivered to their home. Autonomous autonomous driving, which will create an era of home delivery, has the potential to change the structure of the retail industry.

Reduce traffic accidents caused by human error

In principle, autonomous driving cars will not run in violation of the Road Traffic Act. This is because they are required to drive safely and in compliance with the law. A autonomous driving car that does not cause human error can be a symbol of zero accidents and no violations, even if it is not 100%.

The number of autonomous driving accidents in Japan exceeds 400,000 each year. Ninety-seven percent of them are caused by driver violations.

It goes without saying that careless driving and dangerous driving in violation of road traffic laws lead to the occurrence of traffic accidents, but as the proportion of autonomous driving cars on roads increases, traffic violations as a whole decrease. , the number of traffic accidents will decrease.

autonomous driving cars will also contribute greatly to the realization of a safe road traffic society.

Significance of autonomous driving in traffic accidents (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

Extend the local transport network

Self-autonomous driving cars, which can be operated at low cost, will bring new life to local public transportation, which is chronically unprofitable and difficult to continue to operate.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, about 70% of fixed-route bus operators nationwide are in the red. Many of the loss-making businesses are located in rural areas. In many areas, businesses are operating with financial support to secure transportation for residents, but the current situation is that the trend of shrinking routes continues.

Needless to say, the introduction of autonomous driving transportation services will improve the balance of payments. It will be possible to secure a stable means of transportation for local residents by flexibly providing services such as autonomous driving buses and on-demand transportation that utilizes AI (artificial intelligence).

Eliminate traffic jams through efficient travel

As mentioned above, the practical application of autonomous driving will gradually lead to a decrease in the number of private cars. By realizing efficient movement by sharing various transportation services, the total number of vehicles running on the road will decrease, leading to the elimination of traffic congestion.

Expectations are also high for routing technology that automatically distributes routes and alleviates traffic congestion, with the system collecting and analyzing real-time traffic congestion information on each road.

Labor saving for working cars

autonomous driving technology is not limited to the movement of people and transportation of goods, but will be applied to various purposes. By applying autonomous driving technology to so-called "working vehicles" such as construction machinery, agricultural machinery, police vehicles, fire trucks, road cleaning vehicles, and inspection vehicles, it will be possible to save labor in many ways.

For example, if police vehicles are autonomous driving, unmanned patrol vehicles will run around the city 24 hours a day, and in-vehicle sensors will detect suspicious persons and prevent incidents. It's like a moving security camera.

In addition, by making work vehicles that inspect roads and structures around roads autonomous driving, it will be possible to detect fallen objects on the road at an early stage.

Efforts toward the development and commercialization of autonomous driving police cars have already begun in places such as the Netherlands and Dubai, and the commercialization of small security robots is also underway.