feature
On the move
C
arers SA Chief Executive
Driverless vehicles are set to increase
mobility, independence and access to
services for people with disability.
“I would like to see this
organisation Minda, and rode in Volvo
Officer David Militz was technology focus on increasing social and Tesla vehicles fitted with Level 2
a panel member at the interaction rather than reducing it. driverle ss vehicle technologies. While
International Driverless Vehicles
“Internationally renowned
not completely driverless, in Level 2
Summit held in Adelaide in psychologist Susan Pinker presented systems, the steering and speed of
November 2017. research in her April 2017 Ted Talk the vehicle are controlled by one or
citing that social interaction was more driver assistance systems but
discussion on improving transport the number one determinant of life a person is in control of the other
accessibility for people with disability expectancy. It is vital to community, elements of driving.
and older people, and said driverless and social interaction has been vehicles will improve mobility and reducing over time, often as a result shuttles and Level 2 technology
help families. of automation.” vehicles were raised during the panel
He participated in a panel
“This is not the future anymore.
Also on the panel with Mr Militz
Dale’s rides in the driverless
discussion.
Autonomous vehicles are here now were Adelaide City Council Chief and being used in Darwin, Dubai and Adviser Steve Harrison, Registrar of vehicles would be great for the
Helsinki to name a small few,” Mr Motor Vehicles Tim Harker, Volvo future of a city like Adelaide and
Militz said. Australia Technical Manager David would be helpful to him personally
Pickett, parent advocate Grace in getting to work, getting to the
technology will increase the mobility, Vassalo-Wakefield, and self-advocate footy and getting to various social
independence and access to services Dale Giumelli. commitments without having to rely
“There is no doubt this
for people with disability and those
who are frail, aged and ill.”
Dale, 21, represented South
Australian disability support
Dale said he thought driverless
on someone to drive him.
www.carers-sa.asn.au
Mr Militz said for people not able
to obtain a license, it will open up
the world.
“As a result, there are possibilities
it will open the world for carers,
reducing anxiety about what will
happen to the person they care for
when they are unable to provide care
and reducing the reliance on the
carer for everyday tasks,” he said.
“There are always unintended
consequences from innovation with
there being a potential loss of jobs,
or more positively, a redesign in
traditional jobs.
50
mobility
Dale Giumelli with
his grandfather
Greg after riding in a
driverless shuttle.
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