Many Malaysians have been excited about the idea of being behind the wheel of a self driving car.
Whenever any car manufacturer advertisers any form of self-driving feature in a new car launch, Malaysians seem to take this feature very seriously. An easy example is the media preview of the soon to be launched Proton X50. There were many comments about its level 2 self driving feature (high specification model only) and its auto park assist feature which many cars in Malaysia (Volkswagen, Hyundai, BMW and Mercedes to mention a few) already have but its owners have only used in the first few weeks and then retired to the fact that it is not easy with our parking lots.
For the high specification Flagship variant of the X50 there is Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) which offers Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. Level 2 autonomous will essentially allow the driver to follow another car in front from the speed of 30km/h to 150km/h and to stop in time also.
On the open highway this could lead to drivers falling asleep or getting distracted with their smart phones. Worst, what if a motorcyclists whizzes across your car?
Then there is Auto Park Assist. This feature will actively control the accelerator, brakes, steering wheel and gear selection to help the driver into a parking space. The system will help maneuver the vehicle into a perpendicular parking spot as well as both into and out of a parallel parking space.
If you can’t find a perfect parking spot which has no intrusions from other parked vehicle, how will Auto Park Assist work for you.
This and many more reasons why we should not be so reliant on automated features on a fast moving object like a car……at least for the next few years until the system has been perfected.
PRESS RELEASE: French company CapGemini who specializes in management consulting and technological services, wanted to know if the consumer was ready to trust autonomous cars. A survey of 5538 people and 280 senior executives in several countries around the world shows that more than half of respondents eagerly await the autonomous car. They are 59% to have answered that. More generally, 40% of those surveyed have generally positive emotions about the autonomous car. But if we analyze in depth, it is especially the Chinese who are enthusiastic. This is less the case in America and Europe.
Negative in Europe
The only region in the world with a clearly positive outlook on the autonomous car is China (53%). In France, the figure increases to 39%. It is 38% in Germany, 37% in Sweden, 36% in the United States and 35% in the United Kingdom. The British are just as (35%) to have really negative feelings (like fear) with the autonomous car against 33% for the Americans, 31% for the Swedes, 30% for the Germans, 29% for the French and … 12% for the Chinese. CapGemini explains this because, in China, we gladly accept being driven rather than driving ourselves as in Europe or the USA.
To do what?
One question in the study specifically raises the question of activities for which one could blindly trust the autonomous car. In the first place (55%), to react correctly to unforeseen situations! Then, to drive his children or relatives (54%) and even to shop or take deliveries automatically (49%). For 71% of respondents, the autonomous car will reduce the carbon footprint. The most enthusiastic advertisers of the autonomous car are urban men under 36 with high incomes. They see it as a time-saving solution and are willing to buy a more expensive car as long as it is self-sufficient.
Yoga session
Another question gave sometimes surprising answers. How are you going to spend your time in an autonomous car? With the ability to opt for several solutions, 63% of people want to have social activities such as discussion in the cabin or telephone or chat. They are 57% to opt for entertainment including music, video games and movies or series. 48% of those surveyed are ready to take a nap, “disconnect” and even meditate. Lastly, 24% will take the opportunity to exercise, measure their health parameters or take medication …
The goal
In doing this analysis, and finding that the acceptance of the autonomous car increases over the last decade, CapGemini wants to help the industry by:
- Exploring consumer readiness for driverless cars
- Understanding consumer expectations of driverless cars
- Evaluating car manufacturers’ investments in driverless cars and examining where they risk deviating from consumer expectations.
- Sharing recommendations on how organizations can accelerate the journey to a future with autonomous vehicles.
As such, car manufacturers are the companies to which respondents are most confident (68%) in terms of autonomous cars.
