Autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality, with many rideshare companies and car manufacturers already testing the technology for various uses. Some experts are considering how this technology could benefit the most vulnerable in society, such as the elderly and disabled.
“Autonomous vehicles will be very helpful to the elderly and others who have driving challenges. Whether they’re going to a doctor’s appointment, a social event, or work, it can reduce the burden of transportation,” said Eric Tanenblatt, a public policy leader at the law firm Dentons, who initiated the firm’s global autonomous vehicles team.
“For many elderly people, driving eventually becomes unsafe. So, the more transportation options available to them, the better. Staying active as they age helps them live longer, so autonomous vehicles can be very beneficial.”
Tanenblatt noted that although autonomous vehicles are still in the testing phase and the regulatory environment is not yet complete, several governors and state governments are working on frameworks for how these vehicles would operate.
He acknowledged that older users might be skeptical of the technology and hesitant to enter a vehicle without a driver. However, he compared it to cellphones and other technologies that older generations gradually adopted as younger people used them more.
“We need to overcome the fear that these cars are unsafe,” Tanenblatt said, adding that human error causes most car accidents.
“If you remove human drivers and let the car or technology drive, it might actually be safer than our current passenger automobiles.”
In places like Phoenix, Arizona, autonomous vehicles are already being tested. Despite some backlash after a woman was killed by one of Uber’s autonomous vehicles in 2018, the tests have continued.
Efforts are also underway to make delivery trucks autonomous, and some long-haul trucking companies are exploring the technology as well.
“I think this will happen much quicker than people expect because the costs—whether it’s for batteries or LIDAR cameras—are dropping,” Tanenblatt said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if within the next 10 years, we see major metropolitan areas with fleets of autonomous vehicles that people can call up using an app. This would be a game changer for the elderly for doctors’ appointments and other needs like grocery delivery.”
Gloria Berwick, vice president of operations for Spring Hills Population Health, part of Spring Hills Senior Communities, believes this idea is feasible for the next decade if certain issues are addressed.
Berwick noted that for safety reasons, Spring Hills Population Health currently limits or removes seniors’ driving privileges, which is a difficult adjustment for those used to being independent.
“Autonomous vehicles could help seniors maintain their independence while ensuring the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. Autonomous vehicles offer a less-contentious solution compared to mandatory driver re-testing for seniors. AVs could help our seniors get to essential appointments, access food and supplies, and attend community gatherings, which are crucial for healthy and happy living,” Berwick said.
However, she mentioned that many seniors at Spring Hills have not embraced technology and might be hesitant about it due to fears about its functionality.
“We need to consider how to train seniors and make them comfortable with the autonomous features of these vehicles, as well as how to assess their cognitive ability to use the technology successfully. Seniors should feel that this technology was developed with them in mind rather than feeling they need to ‘catch up’ to it,” Berwick explained.
Rob Wunsche, director of technology planning and new mobility at DENSO International America, also thinks using autonomous vehicles for elderly and disabled transportation is a viable idea.
He noted that there is a clear need for these populations to be transported safely, adding that current options for the elderly are not satisfactory. However, he pointed out that the cost might be prohibitive and that it would need to be tested in restricted environments.
“The most obvious use would be medical transport for the elderly. There are businesses serving this market, often paid by health insurance companies, but the quality of service can vary. Sometimes people have to wait hours for their pickup, even if it was pre-scheduled. AVs, which offer consistent and reliable performance, could help reduce these occurrences. Also, the biggest operational cost for these companies is the driver, so AVs represent a potential cost-saving opportunity,” Wunsche said.
“Considering the fear of technology adoption, the elderly and disabled demographic might be the most challenging. AVs need to provide a safe and comfortable experience. Remote monitoring and even conversation with a remote person could quickly build trust in the technology, add a human element to the experience, and provide an additional layer of safety.”
Karen Panetta, a fellow at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, echoed these remarks, writing in an email that many free and low-cost transportation options for seniors and the disabled require too much lead time for scheduling and lack flexibility.
“Autonomous vehicles would allow more flexibility, efficient scheduling, and possibly even more private availability because there would be so many vehicles versus relying on resource-constrained organizations like senior centers or veterans administration support,” Panetta said.
“This would also make traveling more affordable, allowing people to come and go frequently directly from their home instead of needing to walk to a bus stop or train station that might not leave them at their final destination. People want independence and don’t like imposing on their family or friends to get them to their appointments.”
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