Autonomous vehicle for disabled people

The spread of self-driving cars will change the world, more or less. But there are some clusters of people who benefit the most from this innovative technology. Elder people will reduce the risk of being involved in traffic accidents. In the future, children will be able to control an autonomous vehicle like a bycycle. And, disabled people will take profit the most.

The Conversation: Are self-driving cars the future of mobility for disabled people?

In the movie of "X-Men: Days of future past," Professor X who cannot walk due to spinal injury appears on a wheelchair. The chair does not equip wheels but has jet engines. He can float on the machine with manipulating the console attached on the armrest.

Nowadays, not a few people use an electric wheelchair. It enables them to move autonomously without their own legs. If the power of this vehicle is stronger than a car, they can go to everywhere. And if the car can think by itself to get the best way to reach the destination, it will be available for not only patients with a spinal injury but also patients with blindness.

In the future, I guess the size of cars will become smaller. It is because people will no more carry objects by their own. The internet, sharing economy, and 3D printers reduce the necessity of bringing commodities. Then, vehicles for a single person will become more common.

It is preferable if disabled people can do anything as healthy people can do with support of new technology. It means that we should round the wheel of progress much more.