Driverless Cars - An Opportunity

What is the issue?

• The incentives provided by cab operators to their drivers are being taken back as they are getting hold of the market.
• Drivers protested and sought government intervention, after being jobless with unviable cab driver option.
• Union Transport Minister has said that driverless cars will not be allowed in India in order to save jobs and secure these drivers.
• However, many claim that driverless cars are actually an opportunity for India and that they generate high paying jobs.

How is that an opportunity?

• Today, no global automaker is confident that Indian roads can have driverless cars.
• But the government should encourage Indian innovation in these autonomous vehicles.
• This will provide scope for

1. Massive investments by companies in designing vehicles, building sensors and other equipments.
2. Training the cars to drive on Indian roads.
3. Making advances in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and other such emerging areas.

• All these are only job generating opportunities than otherwise.

What should the government do?

• Doing business should be made easy for the automakers, encouraging them to invest and innovate thereby generating job opportunities.
• Planners and policy makers should  design better road signs, and help build suitable road infrastructure.
• Government should invest in an independent regulator, frame laws to govern them and ensure fair play.
• It should also need to work on improving education to the masses to tap these opportunities.

Source: Business Standard