Are there Autonomous Vehicles (AV) for Wheelchair Users?

In the classic movie "Back to the Future Part II," Doc Brown famously tells Marty McFly, "Where we're going, we don't need roads," as they head into a future where flying cars are a common sight. While the age of flying cars hasn't arrived yet, today's groundbreaking technologies are steering us toward a new era of transportation—one where vehicles are driverless. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are already beginning to make their mark in rideshare services in major cities around the world. Although AVs aren’t widely available for personal use yet, they could potentially enhance transportation accessibility for millions of people, particularly those with disabilities.

What Is an Autonomous Vehicle?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) considers a vehicle to be fully autonomous when it can handle all driving responsibilities without human involvement. This includes tasks like controlling speed, steering, signaling, lane keeping, and parking. Essentially, a person should be able to enter a fully autonomous vehicle, fasten their seatbelt, input their destination, and rely on the car to do the rest.

How Do Autonomous Vehicles Work?

Autonomous vehicles rely on advanced technology to navigate their surroundings. By using a combination of sensors—radar, cameras, and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)—autonomous vehicles collect data to make real-time driving decisions like steering, braking, and accelerating. Cameras capture visual images, while radar uses radio waves to detect objects and measure their speed. LiDAR emits laser pulses and measures the time they take to bounce back, creating a 3D map of the environment. These technologies help autonomous vehicles recognize road hazards like curbs, pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. While AV technology is advanced, it's not without limitations—heavy rain, snow, or even stop-and-go traffic can interfere with their self-driving capabilities.

Do Fully Autonomous Cars Exist?

Fully autonomous cars do exist, but their availability is limited. Currently, AVs are mostly used as robotaxi services in larger cities. While many vehicles today include automated features like emergency braking, lane keeping, and parking assistance, these systems do not make a vehicle fully autonomous. Currently, fully autonomous vehicles aren't available to purchase for personal use.

Is Tesla an Autonomous Vehicle?

Tesla’s have an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) known as Autopilot. This system allows Tesla’s to complete basic driving tasks like braking, acceleration, lane-centering, and parking when activated. However, because Autopilot still requires human intervention, Tesla’s are not considered fully autonomous vehicles. Drivers must remain attentive and ready to take control at any moment, especially in areas with heavy vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Other automakers also offer vehicles with ADAS systems, such as Ford's BlueCruise and GM's Super Cruise. While these systems include features like hands-free driving on certain pre-mapped highways, they still require drivers to stay engaged and ready to intervene. ADAS technologies enhance the driving experience but fall short of achieving full autonomy. Additionally, many of these vehicles are electric, reflecting a broader industry trend towards sustainability and innovation in automotive technology.

The Five Levels of Autonomous Vehicles

SAE International, formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a global organization dedicated to advancing mobility technology across the automotive and aerospace industries. It sets industry standards and promotes innovation in areas like safety, sustainability, and accessibility. SAE International defines six levels of automation for vehicles, ranging from zero (no driving automation) to five (full driving automation):

• Level 0: These vehicles provide warnings or momentary assistance like blind spot and lane departure warnings, and emergency braking.
• Level 1: These vehicles feature either lane centering or adaptive cruise control, but not both.
• Level 2: These vehicles can adjust speed and steering based on surroundings. However, these features may only be used in certain areas, and the driver may be asked to take over at any time. Teslas are SAE Level 2 vehicles.
• Level 3: The vehicle can provide lane centering and adaptive cruise control simultaneously.
• Level 4: The vehicle can perform all driving functions independently in optimal conditions. 
• Level 5: No driving or assistance is required from a person for any vehicle functions, regardless of conditions.

Self-Driving Cars: Pros and Cons

Self-driving cars provide benefits for individuals across all demographics. For instance, elderly people who need to attend medical appointments can rely on autonomous vehicles if they cannot drive safely themselves or lack transportation provided by a caregiver due to scheduling conflicts. Additionally, people living in suburban or rural areas often face limited access to public transportation or ride-hailing services, making self-driving cars a valuable alternative.

Pros of Self-Driving Vehicles

Benefits of self-driving cars include:

• Accessibility: Autonomous vehicles provide transportation options for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and young adults, reducing challenges faced when using traditional rideshare services like service dog and wheelchair denials.
• Efficiency: Self-driving cars can optimize routes and manage speeds to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, resulting in time savings.
• Cost Savings: Over time, self-driving technology could reduce the need for paid drivers, leading to potential cost reductions in transportation services.

Cons of Self-Driving Vehicles

Potential cons of self-driving vehicles include:

• Technological Limitations: Self-driving cars depend heavily on advanced technology for navigation. Loss of connectivity or technological limitations could lead to operational issues and traffic problems.
• Job Displacement: Widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles could lead to job losses in taxi and rideshare industries.
• Legal and Ethical Challenges: Determining liability in the event of accidents involving autonomous vehicles is complex, posing new legal and ethical questions.

Are Self-Driving Cars Safe?

Driving is often considered one of the more dangerous activities people engage in daily. Operating a vehicle at relatively high speeds, often near other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles, comes with inherent risks. These risks need to be taken into consideration when determining the safety of self-driving cars.

While research and technology surrounding autonomous vehicles is new, some publications and small studies suggest self-driving cars are safer than those driven by people. This largely equates to the ability of self-driving cars to eliminate human errors. However, these vehicles can still make technological errors, impacting passenger safety. Another concern is cybersecurity. Just like a personal computer can be hacked, other technologies, including those in self-driving cars, could be hacked, compromising vehicle safety and security. Still, many people remain optimistic about these vehicles as they offer a transportation solution for people who may not otherwise be able to travel independently.

Looking to the Future: Self-Driving Vehicles for Disabled People

Whether it's a trip to the doctor or a longer journey to see family, disabilities often limit one's ability to drive or travel independently. AVs provide a dependable, inclusive solution to help people with disabilities manage everyday tasks. These vehicles could also allow individuals to embrace spontaneity and adventure in their travels, ultimately improving their quality of life. While the day when people can park their own autonomous vehicles in their driveways might still be a few years away, you can explore wheelchair accessible vehicles and mobility products at your local BraunAbility dealer.