Despite living in a small town with limited services and having a lifetime love of cars, I didn’t get my license until fairly late in life. In fact, I was in my early thirties with two kids before I became a licensed driver. I think that at least partly because of that, I have a strong love of driving. After so many years of having somebody else drive me around, being behind the wheel feels like freedom.
But for many, driving is a hassle rather than a pleasure. In fact, my younger sister absolutely hates driving and only does so when she has to. She thinks that the entire concept of hurtling down a highway at high speeds and trusting everyone else on the road to be responsible enough to keep you safe is crazy.
Our two different attitudes are my own first-hand experience of larger global attitudes about driving, vehicles and transportation in general. And recently I had the chance to explore some of those attitudes, and what they might mean in the future, while in Detroit with Ford Canada at the North American International Auto Show.
The event kicked off with a delicious dinner at Ford Field. Having the chance to tour the stadium, see the locker rooms of the players and even attempt kicking a field goal was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget. I probably should have worn different shoes, but I still had a blast even though I didn’t score our Canadian crew an extra three points!
But as much fun as the dinner and exploration of Ford Field was, it was the talk from Ford Futurist Sheryl Connelly that really captivated my attention. Ford is constantly looking forward to ensure that it’s ready to meet the changing needs of its customers and with some of the micro and macro trends developing around the world, that means monumental changes are starting to take place in the transportation sector.
So what does that mean for the average family with young children and likely aging parents as well? For one thing, it means that owning a vehicle and driving a vehicle may very soon not be synonymous. As of January 1 of this year, Ontario has started allowing the testing of self-driving vehicles on its roads. As these autonomous vehicles are perfected and refined, driving is likely going to become less and less necessary.
For some, that may seem like a catastrophe. I’ve already mentioned how much I love driving and I’m definitely not the only one. So many of us have that inner vision of cruising in a convertible along an open road through picturesque landscape as the wind blows through our hair. Who would want to give up that joy?
But for others, autonomous vehicles mean freedom as much as driving means freedom to me. Our aging population and constantly increasing life expectancy mean that more and more seniors may soon face decades of still being able to care for themselves, yet not being able to drive. For those citizens, a self-driving car means the freedom of mobility without having to depend on the good will of friends or family members. And in countries with high populations, where driving in major cities almost invariably means traffic jams, gridlocks and accidents, self-driving cars may very well be the answer to a problem that seemed unsolvable.
If you have mixed feelings about autonomous vehicles, you’re not alone. But Ford believes that they are going to play a big role in our future, and I’m inclined to agree. Personally, I think that the coming years will lead to a combination of traditional and autonomous cars on the road, to the benefit of everyone. There will likely be a few hiccups in the process and the occasional bump along the way, but the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles are so high that there’s no doubt in my mind they’ll eventually become a common sight on Canadian roads.
Getting the chance to eat delicious food, spend time with fellow Canadian bloggers and take part in exclusive behind-the-scenes moments was a great perk to attending the #FordNAIAS event, but the best part of the trip for me was learning about the future of the Ford Motor Company and driving in general. Whether or not you would ever buy a self-driving car, the vehicles will likely be playing a part in your future in one way or another. And I can’t wait to see how Ford takes part in this upcoming revolution of driving!
Kathy downey says
January 21, 2016 at 3:21 pmThanks enjoyable and an interesting read.Nice kick-off
Lynda Cook says
January 21, 2016 at 4:58 pmI think it would be awesome having one of these cars, I myself do not like driving and so I would totally love this car!!!
Joanie Roy says
January 21, 2016 at 7:46 pmI live in Quebec so sometimes the weather condition is horrible! Snow, wind, cold…not really fun on the road! I guess it would be a lot less stressfull with this kind of ”intelligent” car.
nicolthepickle says
January 22, 2016 at 5:22 amThat is really exciting. In Europe they have trams and the like so why not.
Cheryl says
January 22, 2016 at 5:24 amLooks like a great event. Amazing how cars are so much more than cars now a days!!
rochelle haynes says
January 22, 2016 at 5:32 amLove to have this looks great
great car
Stephanie LaPlante says
January 22, 2016 at 8:17 amI find this fun and extremely scary at the same time.
Kathryn says
January 22, 2016 at 10:03 amHaha! My thoughts exactly, Stephanie!
Gord says
January 22, 2016 at 9:26 amSelf driving cars …then what? Kind of scares the ____ out of me.
Kathryn says
January 22, 2016 at 10:19 amYou’re definitely not the only one, Gord! The futurist mentioned that in North America, only about 40% of those surveyed would consider a self-driving car. It’s going to be slow going here, but I have a feeling it’s coming, like it or not!
caryn s says
January 22, 2016 at 10:30 amNot sure about a “driving ” a driverless vehicle!
Joni W says
January 22, 2016 at 11:23 amif driving is becoming less and less necessary why are drivers becoming worse and worse. Actually I guess because it’s becoming less necessary, and nowadays there seems to be less common sense in the world. Seems to me that the smarter the vehicles the dumber the people. Although I’m very glad for smart vehicles because my mom and dad got t-boned pretty bad a few yrs ago and walked away from it, i’ll not say without a scratch. I just had a thought!!!1 Why not make cars that automatically stop at stop signs!???!!!!
MPaula says
January 23, 2016 at 6:33 amAnd red lights! I can`t tell you how many times I have almost been run over, as a pedestrian, by people turning right while only looking left!
Guppy says
January 22, 2016 at 12:17 pmI don’t drive myself so I’d be all for a self driving car! I’m happy to say the last 2 trucks my husband has bought were Fords – we’ve been very pleased with the brand.
Holly MacRitchie says
January 22, 2016 at 5:31 pmI dream of being driven around in a self driven car often.. I think it will happen sooner or later
MPaula says
January 23, 2016 at 6:35 amI do love having control of a vehicle, so much so that I drive a manual transmission. I must say I would prefer if many drivers I have encountered did NOT have control of their vehicle!
Kathryn says
January 23, 2016 at 3:49 pmI’m a manual fan myself! Makes me sad that it’s getting harder and harder to find standard cars! Lol
MPaula says
January 24, 2016 at 12:46 amI know what you mean. I test drove a 6-speed but it is just not the same.
Omid says
January 23, 2016 at 8:39 pmI would still prefer driving on my own, I don’t like to rely on technology. Maybe, I am just a powerfreak.
Silvia D says
January 24, 2016 at 4:16 pmMy husband loves his fords, especailly Mustangs and Trucks all we have owned since we are together/married.. I don’t drive anymore due to leg injury/ and diabetic nuropathy.. but the IDEA of self driving car is great but not sure if I would feel safe or comfortable with one…
Dale Steele Nicolov says
January 25, 2016 at 7:24 amI find this idea a little scary!
Deanna Barkley says
January 25, 2016 at 8:00 amThis would be the perfect car for my daughter who refuses to learn to drive. She really needs to get her license, but says she would be a dangerous driver. This car would help solve her problem.
jessica garcia says
January 25, 2016 at 9:57 amI agree for me its a tad bit to much , i like to be in control , Looked like a fun event .
jordan alice says
January 25, 2016 at 5:48 pmOH wow, I don’t really know if I would feel more compelled to travel in a driverless vehicle? I’m 28, grew up in a small town and moved to bigger cities for many reasons but one was to be able to function/travel on my own. Driving is terrifying to me!
Daniela Plume says
January 26, 2016 at 2:14 amI love to drive. I think a self driving car would be both boring and frustrating for me
Cherry Lane says
January 26, 2016 at 2:42 amSelf-driving cars could have a lot of benefits such as being able to text and drive at the same time, being able to binge watch Game of Thrones as you get from coast to coast without any bathroom breaks … the possibility is endless.
Amy Lovell says
January 26, 2016 at 8:00 pmLooks like a really fun event! Must have been so exhilerating and exciting!!
Debbie W says
January 26, 2016 at 10:00 pmI’ve always wanted to take them up on one of their test drives. I should.
AD says
January 26, 2016 at 10:37 pmThe idea of autonomous vehicles scares the daylights out of me; and being in the insurance industry (and writing articles about these kinds of things) we’re still trying to figure out how to rate and structure insurance. It will definitely make things interesting.
laura feist says
January 28, 2016 at 10:27 amlooks like fun
Maureen Andersonm says
January 29, 2016 at 6:01 pmI guess I’m old fashioned but I’m not comfortable with it.
Donnas says
February 2, 2016 at 6:14 amWe commute to work every day on Highways 400 and 401. I’m lucky enough to drive with my boyfriend who loves driving, so I get the be a passenger and not have to worry about the other drivers and hazards on the road. We purchased a new vehicle (Ford Focus) in December and it has a lot of safety features including a back-up camera with sensors and blind-spot in the mirrors. I’m sure the day will come when we have autonomous vehicles on the road, but I think it’s quite a distance in the future yet.
Anne Dougherty says
February 2, 2016 at 1:23 pmAn interesting read!
JOANNE FRANK says
February 9, 2016 at 4:33 pmfun and exciting 🙂
Tracy says
February 10, 2016 at 8:39 amIt’s kind of scary but interesting too,if my grandmother was alive she would be so amazed with all new technology happening in the world
Jenn says
February 13, 2016 at 8:18 pmGlad you had fun! I am a big fan of Ford.
Shirley says
February 14, 2016 at 2:43 amI think it would be great having one of these cars, I don’t like driving.
ivy pluchinsky says
February 15, 2016 at 10:20 amlooks like fun, and interesting article!
LILLIAN BROWN says
February 15, 2016 at 11:12 amwould be awesome having one of these cars
Janine a says
February 15, 2016 at 6:15 pmlooks like a ton of fun 🙂