Finally, left-hand drive cars are making their way into the market. For a long time, left-hand drive cars were mainly restricted to specific regions, such as North America and Europe. However, with globalization and increasing demand, left-hand drive cars are now being produced and sold in various countries around the world. There are several reasons why left-hand drive cars are becoming more prevalent. First and foremost, it is due to the increase in international travel and trade. As people travel across different countries and continents, it becomes more convenient for them to drive a left-hand drive car, which they are already familiar with.
There are good reasons to go slow. A year ago a self-driving Uber killed a pedestrian in nearby Tempe, where Uber had more than 300 people employed in its own autonomous vehicle programme. The test driver “may have been streaming an episode of The Voice at the time of the crash”, according to cellphone documents obtained by Gizmodo, and the car didn’t alert the driver to take over the vehicle. Uber has since suspended the Tempe test. Volvo, Ford, Tesla and others have all suffered setbacks.
A year ago a self-driving Uber killed a pedestrian in nearby Tempe, where Uber had more than 300 people employed in its own autonomous vehicle programme. There is something existentially spooky about watching the wheel turn on its own as the person in the front sits idly by, but otherwise the ride through Chandler s wide, flat streets is utterly unremarkable.
As people travel across different countries and continents, it becomes more convenient for them to drive a left-hand drive car, which they are already familiar with. Moreover, left-hand drive cars allow for a smoother transition between countries, as drivers do not have to adjust to the opposite side of the road. Another significant factor contributing to the popularity of left-hand drive cars is the rise in online car sales.
‘I’m so done with driving’: is the robot car revolution finally near?
In the manicured grounds of a public library in Chandler, Arizona, Liisa Walimaa is waiting for a robot to take her to Macy’s.
For a year Walimaa has been a participant in a closely guarded experiment being run by Waymo, a division of Alphabet (née Google), in this suburb of Phoenix that could change the face of global transportation on a scale unseen since we ditched horses for cars.
Automated vehicles offer the promise of fewer road fatalities, cheaper rides and greater mobility for the blind and otherwise disabled. They could also cost millions of jobs, threaten public transport spending and upend insurance. Technology companies may love to talk about “disruption”, but what is happening in Chandler is genuinely worthy of the word.
00:05:04 Waymo trials its self-driving cars outside Phoenix, Arizona – videoA few years back, everyone thought this was science fiction. Now they're like: ‘Oh, why isn’t this here yesterday?'Dan Chu
There have been setbacks (there will be more) and progress has been slower than first promised, but Walimaa thinks that in five or 10 years, autonomous vehicles will be as viable an option as taking a bike, calling a regular taxi or using your own car. Right now, she knows which she prefers.
“I’m so done with driving,” says Walimaa, a British-born writer and yoga teacher. “I love my car, but I don’t want to drive it any more.”
Walimaa is one of about 400 people who successfully applied to be in the Waymo early rider programme. Until now they have not been allowed to speak to the press.
“I am always more confident in a Waymo than I am in an Uber,” says Walimaa in her first interview on her experience. “Because I know it is going to be consistent. I do think it’s safer.” Last time she took an Uber to the airport, she says, the driver was texting on the freeway as they drove. “In rush hour. It was terrifying.”
- Waymo’s self-driving Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan traverses public roads in Chandler, Arizona. Photograph: Waymo
A white Chrysler Pacifica minivan with what looks like an outsized black taxi light draws up. There is a person in the front – Waymo still has supervisors in its vehicles for some rides – and we are off.
There is something existentially spooky about watching the wheel turn on its own as the person in the front sits idly by, but otherwise the ride through Chandler’s wide, flat streets is utterly unremarkable. A screen shows our route and the position of cars, people and bikes around us. Does our vehicle seem slow on the left-hand turn? Maybe. A bit cautious, sure.
But it also feels totally safe.
Over the year Walimaa has been testing the service, it has improved enormously, she says. When she first started, the routes Waymo took could be “interesting”: “There was one time when I was very curious when it decided to go through a car park instead of taking the road.”
- One of three screens displays the user interface inside a Waymo vehicle in Chandler, Arizona. Photograph: Caitlin O’Hara/Reuters
In two in every 10 rides the supervisor has to override something, she says, nonchalantly. I check my seatbelt – that sounds like a lot to me, but Waalima says “they are minor things”. On one ride the vehicle “had a mind of its own”, but she was never in danger and the supervisor took over. And if there were no supervisor? “Nine months ago I might have said something different, but now I’d feel comfortable contacting Waymo to sort it,” she says.
Walimaa may be at the cutting edge of change but she’s also in the minority in her enthusiasm. Polls show 52% of people say they would not use a robot car, and after an initial rush of hype, the onset of the age of the robot car has stalled.
In 2012 Google co-founder Sergey Brin said you could “count on one hand” the number of years it would take for most people to have access to autonomous cars. In 2019 the public are still waiting.
There are good reasons to go slow. A year ago a self-driving Uber killed a pedestrian in nearby Tempe, where Uber had more than 300 people employed in its own autonomous vehicle programme. The test driver “may have been streaming an episode of The Voice at the time of the crash”, according to cellphone documents obtained by Gizmodo, and the car didn’t alert the driver to take over the vehicle. Uber has since suspended the Tempe test. Volvo, Ford, Tesla and others have all suffered setbacks.
And yet billions of dollars are still pouring into autonomous vehicles. The robot revolution may be slower to arrive than first expected, but Waymo clearly thinks it is still coming.
With the advent of e-commerce platforms, car buyers have access to a wider range of vehicles from around the world. As a result, left-hand drive cars, which were previously considered rare or exotic in certain regions, are now more easily accessible. Furthermore, left-hand drive cars offer certain advantages in terms of safety and comfort. In countries where the majority of vehicles are left-hand drive, the road infrastructure is often designed to accommodate these types of cars, resulting in a safer driving environment. Additionally, left-hand drive cars provide better visibility, as the driver sits on the opposite side of the road, allowing for improved awareness of the surroundings. However, there are still challenges associated with the increase in left-hand drive cars. One of the main issues is the need for adjustments in driving habits and road rules. Countries that traditionally drove on the right-hand side must adapt to the presence of left-hand drive cars, which may require changes in traffic laws and signage. Moreover, the service and maintenance of left-hand drive cars may be more complicated in regions where they are less common, as mechanics and spare parts may be limited. In conclusion, the rise of left-hand drive cars signifies a shift in the global automotive market. With increased international travel, online car sales, and the advantages they offer in terms of safety and comfort, left-hand drive cars are becoming more prevalent. However, challenges still persist, and adjustments need to be made to accommodate this change successfully. Overall, the availability of left-hand drive cars provides more choices and convenience for car buyers worldwide..
Reviews for "The Advantages and Challenges of Owning a Left-Handed Magic Car"
1. Emma - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Finally left handrd nxgic cars". The plot felt disjointed and confusing, making it hard to follow along with the story. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them on any level. Furthermore, the writing style was overly verbose and pretentious, which made it a chore to read. Overall, I found this book to be subpar and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1/5
"Finally left handrd nxgic cars" was one of the most boring books I've ever read. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story dragged on without anything of real substance happening. The author seemed more focused on using overly flowery language and convoluted metaphors, rather than actually telling a compelling story. The lack of proper editing was also evident, as there were numerous grammatical errors and inconsistencies throughout the book. I struggled to finish this book and felt like it was a complete waste of my time.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Finally left handrd nxgic cars" based on all the positive reviews I had read, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot felt convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add much to the overall story. The characters were also uninteresting and lacked depth, making it hard to emotionally invest in their journeys. Additionally, the writing style was overly poetic and difficult to follow, often leaving me frustrated and disconnected from the narrative. Overall, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped and wouldn't recommend it to others.