Self driving cars and autonomous vehicles still Need better sensors and media

SELF-DRIVING & AV MAKERS STILL NEED TO ADD SOME SENSORS BEFORE  THEY ARE READY FOR  THE PUBLIC

Not so long ago this blog was critical about how many  news stories  seemed to be incredibly  similar and appear  on the “Google Alert”  on the same day.  This is still problematic, however it also serves a great purpose.  

YOU SOMETIMES  SEE THE MOST  WHEN YOU NOTICE WHAT IS NOT THERE.

While some stories  mention the benefit of self-driving  modes of transport for  people with disabilities, there appears  to bde no urgency on reporting the lack of stories or the lack people  with disabilities  who are being  consulted, employed, and included  in the development and production process.  

  

I recently was honored to talk to the Council on future  Mobility  (a great, energetic, and forward-thinking group of  manufacturers and government officials ) and provided a convincing case for  the need to move forward with  development of  this mode of transportation.  However,  nothing  hit the papers about  that aspect of the meeting.  The  very next  week a major auto   maker announced  a tripling  of money to be invested in the future forms of transport, but  nothing appeared  saying any additional focus  was being  placed  upon the ability of  seniors and people  with disabilities having a greater role in  ensuring these vehicles  lead to increased  participation for these citizens.  

Now…I have always given my bias in these blogs and I’m not stopping now.  I want to work  for/with one or more of these  companies to promote and improve access for all users.  I want to do this  because  if you can give people choices on how to participate in the world, then you can give them the responsibilities of full-fledged citizens—you know like paying bills,sharing the tax burden, etc.  The point I’m trying to make is this is a new frontier of mobility and  people with disabilities are slowly falling into the “after-thoght category AGAIN!!!!  

To paraphrase and old classic—

What do we want  “Freedom”(to help build, pay for, and use  transportation)!!!

When do we want it (well if it can’t be yesterday)  NOW!!!

Right  now there is too much doubt that  inclusion is  a goal of many car makers and the media, and makers are being very silent.  really really really really—-did I say really  quiet about  how and which aspects of access are being developed, tested, and included.  

It is time to hear what now  is silent and to see what  for now is simply  not visible.  

Again my bias needs to be mentioned…. I would love to  work on helping  (for money)  and have a strong belief that that  there is not intentional  bias against people with  disabilities…. however this isa great (and probably once  in century)   opportunity for someone to take the lead in  a revolutionary social change….and a very positive one.  For now however, no one seems to want to  lead and  that is concerning.  The sensors  targeting the social aspects of this seem to be missing a little bit for the media and the makers alike.

What do we wan?  Freedom!!!

When do we want it  NOW!!!—-notafter we think about it for a while the seeds are being planted not when the fruit is falling  and being picked up off the ground.