A new study conducted across eight countries (including BRIC) found that, on average, half of Americans desire a driverless society, support drones for public service or want cities to invest in smart infrastructures that would use and apply non-personal data from cars and buildings to improve quality of life for them and their community.
The Intel Freeway to the Future study examines citizens’ attitudes toward technology innovations designed to make cities smarter, more convenient and safer.
Roads without rage
Forty-four percent of American respondents would like to live in a driverless city, where cars, buses and trains operate intelligently and automatically without people driving them. When asked how automated transportation could affect their cities or towns, Americans cited reductions in the number of traffic incidents (40%), traffic (38%) and the amount of carbon emissions (34%). More than one-third (34%) expect to see a driverless city in 10 years or less.
While Americans love their cars, they are willing to give up some of their privacy for improved commuting and parking.
More than half of US respondents would anonymously share travel information, such as where and when they travel, to develop automated and intelligent transportation solutions.
More than half (54%) of respondents would be willing to let an intelligent system select the best travel routes for everyone on the road if it meant overall commute time would be reduced by 30% – even if it meant their personal commute time would increase.
Fifty percent of Americans would let a city put a sensor on their cars for intelligent parking.
The Intel Freeway to the Future survey found that Americans are willing to share information with and relinquish control to their city for the common good. If ambulances, fire trucks and police cars could use the fastest route based on real-time data, 59% would opt into a city program that puts a sensor on their car.
Intel researchers – including anthropologists, social scientists and engineers – are imagining, prioritising, designing and building future mobility experiences, including those for transportation.
For instance, Intel Labs is advancing machine-to-machine communications so cars can talk to one another using tiny sensors – inexpensive technology that collects data – that let vehicles know what others around them are doing to increase driver safety.
Drones deliver public services
Nearly six in 10 (57%) of US respondents think drones are a smart and sensible way to improve public services. US respondents envision drones supporting law enforcement (64%), public safety monitoring (64%), fire fighting and prevention (61%), and ambulance and emergency response (58%).
Intel researchers are exploring technologies such as advancements in robotics and drones that would benefit public services by freeing up critical and limited manpower to focus on important tasks while improving safety and convenience.
City surroundings that survey behaviours
American opinions vary when asked about living in a city where buildings, buses and other physical surroundings gather and use anonymous information about what people do and how they do it. Initially 60% register concern about privacy, while 40% see such a city as a better way to deliver public services or a smart way to improve quality of life.
But when specific benefits to society are cited – such as reducing water and energy consumption, reducing city costs and improving air quality – the tables turn and 61% of American respondents say this type of smart city would be worthwhile.
And if in 10 years, the buildings, transportation and services in their city are connected to the Internet and each other, more than one-third (38%) would want their home connected, too.
