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Furthermore, the potential for autonomous vehicles to coordinate in emergencies—such as police, fire, or ambulance responses—could enhance safety and responsiveness. Yet, concerns about hacking, data security, and control persist, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Autonomous Vehicles and Social Equity
A vital theme is the potential of autonomous technology to bridge social inequities. Uber and Lyft have already improved transportation access in underserved neighborhoods, but fully autonomous fleets could extend this progress even further. In areas where public transit is unreliable or unavailable, shared autonomous vehicles could offer affordable, reliable mobility, transforming quality of life and economic opportunities.