Change your lifestyle?

Autonomous driving May 26, 13:57

"Autonomous driving" of cars where various researches are progressing.

Do you know what kind of function it is?

Autonomous driving is available from level 1 to level 5.

Levels 1 and 2 are features such as automatic braking and overtaking vehicles in front of you on the freeway.

At level 3 and above, the system will automatically operate.

In March 2021, Honda launched the world's first Level 3 passenger car.

Then, it is an entrance examination question.

Challenge the problem!

Problems In

recent years, the automobile industry has been focusing on the development of "autonomous driving technology".

Please state your thoughts on how the development of autonomous driving technology for automobiles will help to address the challenges of Japanese society that can be read from the materials below.

(Japan Women's University Junior High School 2018)

The polygonal line in the material shows the transition of the total population and is decreasing.

On the other hand, the percentage of elderly people shown in red is increasing, so is it useful for issues in an aging society?

An example of an answer is that "the ratio of elderly people to the total population will increase. Advances in autonomous driving technology will reduce accidents caused by driving mistakes by elderly people."

In addition, the spread of autonomous driving may lead to economic development and the realization of a convenient lifestyle.

What are the possibilities of autonomous driving?

What is driving level 3?

We asked Mr. Takaaki Sugiura of Mitsubishi Research Institute, who is familiar with autonomous driving.

What are the Level 3 features?

Mr. Sugiura

"You are freed from the need for the driver to always look in front of you or to operate the steering wheel and accelerator. The camera is on, you are watching the driver, and you can hold the steering wheel immediately. I'm checking to see if it's

At Level 3, you will be able to leave all operations such as steering wheel and brakes to the autonomous driving system.

However, it cannot be done anytime, anywhere.

Level 3 features are only available on highways.

Moreover, it is limited to cases where the vehicle is congested or close to traffic and the traveling speed is 50 km or less.

Service areas etc. are excluded.

The driver is also required to sit in the driver's seat and be prepared to operate himself whenever an unforeseen situation occurs.

So to speak, it is a conditional automatic operation.

Development competition in Japan and around the world

With the entry of autonomous driving and IT companies, development competition is intensifying around the world.

In Japan, Toyota Motor and Nissan Motor are also focusing on technological development.

Mr. Sugiura:

"It

's

been a long time since it was said that young people are away from cars in Japan, and the living environment where people can live without a car has become established, and consumers' preference for cars is weakening. We want to reduce the burden that sometimes comes with us. We are very focused on how to provide attractive and easy-to-use cars. "

Mr. Sugiura is paying attention to the possibility of reducing accidents and leading to economic development, as shown in the answer example of the entrance examination question.

Mr. Sugiura

"More than anything else, we can go out with peace of mind without worrying about causing an accident. There will be a lot more opportunities to go out, including the elderly. If the driving load can be reduced, it will be easier to go out. Opportunities to go out will increase, and I think it will have a huge impact on the economic spillover effect to rural areas, including tourism, and the promotion of rural areas. "

The evolving future of autonomous driving

And now, in autonomous driving, research on "level 4" and "level 5", in which the system always performs all operations, is also in progress.

The government is to prospect the year 2025, we aim to practical application of level 4 is limited location, and the like.

Mr. Sugiura thinks that rapidly evolving autonomous driving will change our lifestyle in the future.

Mr. Sugiura

"I think that the freedom of movement will increase dramatically. You can enjoy videos and contents, have meetings and meetings, etc., just like the time you spend in the living room or at work while you are in the car. , It will be possible to use it as a very meaningful time. When the world where you can move anywhere without burden will come, you will have a lot of choices of places to live. Problems caused by overcrowding in the city will be solved. I think it will come, and as a whole, the productivity of industry and education will increase. It will be a comfortable life for the citizens. "

We can expect that autonomous driving will bring out various possibilities.

But after all, a car is just a tool, and it is also a life-threatening thing.

The user must also have the knowledge to use it safely, not the consciousness of "leaving it to us".

You may have the impression that "autonomous driving" is expensive if you want it.

In fact, Honda's Level 3 passenger car this time is a luxury car, so it costs more than 10 million yen per car.

However, Mr. Sugiura says that even in autonomous driving, the function of preventing accidents is becoming more and more popular, and small cars and light cars, which are inexpensive in terms of cost, are being installed in new cars.

He said that the cost of these parts will continue to decrease, autonomous driving will become more familiar, and the burden on drivers will be reduced.

In "Migake, Curiosity!" Of "Weekly Maru-Knowledge News" (broadcast at 9:00 am on Saturday), we will delve into the news every week on the subject of current affairs presented in the entrance examination.

Let's think of "why?", In fact, "in the first place" that you want to know as a Kamakura caster!

You can also review the past on the corner homepage.

Please take a look from the link below!

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/