💡 Optimist's Edge: Self-driving cars will be a freedom revolution for people with disabilities

📉 What people think

Most people think of self-driving cars are like today's cars, only that they drive themselves. They think two people will sit in the front, and three in the back, strapped down by seat belts, facing forward.

They think the cars will have doors like today, and will be pretty hard to get in or out of. At least if you are old, or have some sort of disability.

📈 Here are the facts

• Without the need for a steering wheel, and the fact that self-driving cars will be extremely safe – they can and will look very different from today's cars.
• If you have a disability the car be designed so it easy to get in and out of, and so you sit (or lay) comfortably in it.
• If you use a wheelchair, you will be able to drive the wheelchair directly into the vehicle. No need to get out of it, fold it, and put it into the back.
• Of course, there will be no need to install special driving equipment.
• Since self-driving cars will be much cheaper than today's taxi rates, people who can't travel as much today will be able to do that.

This is Zoox, a self-driving car. It is not designed for people with disabilities, but as you can see it doesn't look like a normal car. And it is pretty easy to see that just a few design changes could make it perfect for a person using a wheelchair or having a hard time getting in or out of a normal car.

💡 Optimist's Edge

💡 Self-driving cars will look different and be much cheaper to travel, meaning a freedom revolution for people with disabilities.

A disability is very often something that limits your freedom. One of the limitations is travel. It is harder and more expensive. Self-driving vehicles will change some of that, making them less expensive and easier to get around.

👇 How to get the Optimist's Edge

Self-driving cars are soon here. It is time to start thinking of what possibilities and opportunities that will bring. One obvious thing is self-driving cars are adapted for people with disabilities.

Designing and prototyping vehicles for that purpose will take time. Now is the time to start.

Organizations for people with disabilities should start to lobby politicians, regulators, and media companies so the transition to self-driving cars is smooth and as fast as possible.

Mathias Sundin
Editor-in-Chief