Driverless cars will soon be cruising the streets of Seattle, Washington. Advocates say the all-electric robotaxis, which will be guided by computerized sensors, are safer and more reliable than human drivers and will reduce carbon emissions. However, opponents question whether the vehicles can judge road conditions well enough to keep passengers and pedestrians safe. They say the sharp increase in demand for lithium batteries means more mining, a process that can harm both people and the environment. Listen to learn more about the controversy over autonomous vehicles and then debate: Are driverless cars a good idea?
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September 29, 2021
3:48
The technology powering Formula E battery powered racecars is getting better, and that is good news for the electric car industry. The racecars, which make a high-pitched squeal as they whiz around the track, captivate onlookers and create competition among automakers. Companies like Mercedes and Nissan participate in the races to experiment with improving the basic model of the Formula E cars to win the race. Listen to hear what racecar drivers like about the cars and learn how improving technology may impact ordinary drivers.
Read MoreFebruary 28, 2020
3:09
Fleets of self-driving cars may hit city streets soon, ready to give pedestrians a lift when they need it. But where will the cars wait to be called? To avoid parking fees, experts say driverless cars may circle slowly or even turn deliberately into heavy traffic, clogging city and residential roads and wasting fuel. To discourage this behavior, some have suggested charging cars not just for parking, but for the time they spend on the road. Listen to learn why some people favor “congestion pricing” and then debate: Should self-driving cars be charged for idle time?
Read MoreFebruary 16, 2018
3:46
Instead of going to a restaurant to pick up food, you can have it delivered to your home. That’s nothing new. But some restaurants are experimenting with using a robot to deliver orders. The robot is equipped with cameras that allow it to observe the street signs, lights, and roads around them to know how and when to cross streets. Some fear this invention may replace jobs held by people, but the company says they are not a replacement for humans. Listen to learn the capabilities of these delivery robots and then debate: Are deliveries by robots a good idea?
Read MoreNovember 3, 2016
3:26
Self-driving cars have been getting a lot of attention lately, with companies such as Uber, Tesla and Google trying out their autonomous vehicles on city streets. However, the big shift towards self-driving vehicles may not be with fancy electric cars, but with long-haul trucks. Trucks are well-suited for self-driving technology and will make the job of driving less dangerous. Listen to hear why people are predicting that trucks will undergo the shift earlier than cars.
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