Technological advances are making changes to the way we live and work. New computer applications can do multiple tasks in a minute that a team of thirty used to do in a day. Online banking has saved us from the hassle of going to the bank; robots have started replacing doctors in many surgery rooms; and driverless car technology is starting to render human drivers unnecessary. In a few years, driving jobs such as long-distance truck driving and driving taxis may also become obsolete.
An insight of what’s to come
Autonomous driving technology is already being tested. In Western Australia, self-driving trucks move tons of material between three mine sites, namely Hope Downs 4, Nammuldi, and Yandicoogina. The company behind this move is Multinational Rio Tinto, and they started testing the trucks in 2008. Other mining companies such as the Fortescue Metals Group and BHP soon followed.
The trucks used in these mining sites are completely supervised by remote operators. There is no flesh-and-blood driver behind the wheel. The trucks “know” where to go by following GPS directions. Self-driving trucks are expected to become mainstream by 2025.
Primary concerns
One of the factors that has led to the decrease of human intervention in vehicles is safety. Almost 90 percent of motor vehicle accidents are caused by human error, and self-driving cars are seen as the solution to this problem. As if easing the population into the widespread use of technology in driving, the European Commission mandated that starting 2015, all newly-registered trucks should have lane departure warning systems built in. Starting 2018, the trucks must be equipped with advanced emergency braking systems. These features are commonly found in passenger vehicles.
Will robots take over?
As driverless cars and self-driving features are still being meticulously tested, those holding driving jobs can rest easy. New technology, such as robot drivers, can still be developed. Many proponents of robot tech believe that it is easier to see how robots could work with humans rather than replace them. No vehicle can be completely autonomous, as tests suggest that driverless cars would still need human intervention in case something goes wrong.
Evolved, not obsolete
It is often believed that technology makes human workers obsolete, but this is not true. Yes, technology has changed the way we work, but it still puts humans in control of what needs to be done. Advances in technology have increased the value of the work done by people, making jobs evolved rather than obsolete. From hands-on machine operators, humans have now become programmers that are able to monitor a machine’s performance from the safety of an office. In ten years’ time, truck drivers may become remote supervisors able to track deliveries right from the comforts of their own home.
Technology and innovation can cause displacement initially, making changes in a company’s organizational structure, but it’s clear that humans are here to stay. It’s up to us to have an open mind and expect that our jobs will evolve, and so have to do what we must to ensure we evolve with them. Learning new skills, testing our knowledge on http://toptests.co.uk/, and keeping up with technological trends are just some of the ways to prepare us for the inevitable change.