Self-Driving Vehicles: The New Industrial Revolution?

Industrialization, the large-scale integration of manufacturing practices into a society whereby productivity is increased by replacing manual labor with mechanized processes (DiLallo 2015), did not end in the 18^th Century; it is a continuous process and has implications on modern society. Despite the purpose of increased productivity, a characteristic seeming to provide wholly positive benefits, society has viewed industrialization both positively and negatively throughout history. The printing press allowed for the mass distribution of knowledge and was accepted as universally good. Ford's assembly line increased factory throughput and worker's compensation, but was criticized for necessarily deskilling and mechanizing workers. The 1936 Charlie Chaplin film, Modern Times, satirizes the mechanization of workers; the film was deemed culturally significant by the Library of Congress in 1989 (“Complete National Film Registry”). The self-driving car presents another iteration of industrialization, with unique practical and ethical challenges.

Source: Chudnow Museum

Source: Charlie Chaplin

Although the integration of self-driving cars would provide many benefits, it would also displace workers, leaving many without a job. The transition to self-driving cars would give mobility to the disabled, decrease the number of traffic accidents worldwide (where over 1.2 million people currently die annually), and allow people to use their commute time productively (“Google Self-Driving Car”). However, the transition would also displace over 4 million workers in the United States: 1.8 million truck drivers (“Heavy and Tractor-trailer”), 0.234 million taxi drivers (“Taxi Drivers”), 0.665 million bus drivers (“Bus Driver”), and 1.33 million delivery drivers (“Delivery Truck”).

Source: Google Self-Driving Car Project

Industrialization has allowed humanity to increase the average life expectancy along with increase the global standard of living; however, at what point (if at all) does industrialization begin to negatively affect society? When all previously human jobs are accomplished by humanoid robots, where does that leave humanity? As rational beings with an affinity for self-preservation, when the outcome of an industrialization event is positive, the benefiting entity will praise the event, while all negatively affected entities will condemn the event. This begs the question: Should we as humanity condemn an event when a majority of the population is negatively affected?

Perhaps, but not necessarily.

Sources

 

“Bus Driver.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 17 December 2015. Web. 4 July 2016.

“Complete National Film Registry Listing.” National Film Preservation Board. Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 4 July 2016.

“Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 17 December 2015. Web. 4 July 2016.

“Google Self-Driving Car Project”. Google. Google, n.d. Web. 4 July 2016.

“Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 17 December 2015. Web. 4 July 2016.

Matthew DiLallo. “What Is Industrialization?” The Motely Fool. The Motley Fool, 26 May 2015. Web. 4 Jul7 2016.

“Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 17 December 2015. Web. 4 July 2016.

Videos

Chudnow Museum. “Henry Ford Assembly Line Invention.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 9 Oct 2014. Web. 4 July 2016.

Charlie Chaplin. “Charlie Chaplin – Factory Work.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 18 June 2010. Web. 4 July 2016.

Google Self-Driving Car Project. “A Ride in the Google Self Driving Car.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 27 May 2014. Web. 4 July 2016.