General Motors Buys Self-Driving Car Software Company

In a USA Today report, by Kaja Whitehouse and Nathan Bomey, GM is competing with tech giants like Apple and Google to create the first self-diving car. GM recently purchased a software company which is solely dedicated to self-driving car software. GM’s CEO Mary Barra believes this is the future and GM needs to adapt to this new technology to keep the company on top of the auto industry. GM has already developed a self-driving Chevrolet Volt semi-electric vehicle.  GM’s President Dan Ammann believes that this technology will give customers greater convenience, lower cost and improve safety. The cars will use sensors and other technology to travel from one destination to another while improving traffic conditions. GM has also invested in Lyft a taxi company, which would benefit from their self-driving cars. Other automakers such as Ford, Tesler and Toyota are also developing similar software.

The article points out that GM is aware that they must move forward with technology to compete with other automakers for the future. Back in the 1970’s the US auto industry suffered because they could not compete with the foreign fuel-efficient compact vehicles.  In order for GM to remain in business they need to move in the direction of self-driving cars since this seems to be the way of the future. If GM did not take this initiative their products would be obsolete and their company would fold. Safety was another important issue mentioned in the article.  Human error is the number one cause of accidents and with a self-driving car more lives would be saved.  One would not have to worry that the person behind the wheel had too much to drink, was tired, texting, reckless or speeding. Computers rarely make mistakes and will get us to our destination safely. Another point is that traffic will move more efficiently when run by software. Imagine taking a trip and not sitting in traffic for hours. Self-driving cars will not rubber neck, sit through traffic lights or drive too slowly.  They will obey traffic rules and keep everyone moving safely in a timely fashion.   

There were important aspects that were over looked in the article. One aspect was, would the public accept this new concept? Of course, there are those that will just love the idea of being chauffeured to their destination especially the elderly. However, there are those who love to drive and not be willing to give it up. Also, will the government demand that we all use autonomous vehicles, and not allow for choice? If so, how will it be phased in?  Lastly, will this new software eliminate jobs? Will there still be a need for taxi cab drivers or police patrolling traffic? It is hard to think ahead how this will change our lives, but I am sure it will be big.

Works Cited

Whitehouse, Kaja, and Nathan Bomey. "General Motors Buys Self-driving Car Software Company." USA Today. Gannett, 14 Mar. 2016. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.