How Driverless Cars Will Change Our World
Click Here To Read Full Text
Major ideas of the text:
Emerging Driverless Technology: The text highlights the growing presence of autonomous vehicles, such as the Waymo One robotaxi, marking the transition to public availability of driverless transportation in the US.
Potential Benefits: Driverless technology promises to improve commuting, reduce carbon emissions, enhance road safety, and create more sustainable cities. It also aims to lower traffic fatalities, with automation offering a safer alternative to human-driven cars.
Challenges to Mainstream Adoption: For driverless vehicles to become widespread, there are significant obstacles, including dealing with unpredictable human drivers, updating regulations, and managing public perception. Infrastructure needs improvement, and there are concerns about liability and insurance in case of accidents.
The Vision for the Future: Experts envision a future where driverless vehicles operate globally across industries, personal transportation, and public infrastructure, requiring advances in both technology and societal acceptance.
Short-Term Focus (Next 2 Years): The immediate focus is on improving the technology to safely navigate complex human environments. Testing grounds, like Mcity at the University of Michigan, are crucial for simulating real-world scenarios and refining autonomous vehicles’ ability to handle difficult driving situations.
Glossary of the Text
1. Automation /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃən/
- Meaning: The use of machines and technology to operate processes automatically.
- Synonyms: Mechanization, Robotics
- Antonyms: Manual operation
2. Carbon emissions /ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/
- Meaning: Release of carbon compounds, especially carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.
- Synonyms: Greenhouse gases
- Antonyms: Carbon capture
3. Curb /kɜːb/
- Meaning: The edge of a pavement or raised border along a road.
- Synonyms: Edge, Sidewalk
- Antonyms: Center, Middle
4. Enticing /ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ/
- Meaning: Attracting or tempting by offering pleasure or advantage.
- Synonyms: Alluring, Tempting
- Antonyms: Repelling, Unappealing
5. Fatalities /fəˈtælɪtiz/
- Meaning: Deaths caused by accidents, disasters, or violence.
- Synonyms: Deaths, Casualties
- Antonyms: Survivals, Escapes
6. Glare /ɡleə/
- Meaning: A strong, harsh light.
- Synonyms: Brightness, Beam
- Antonyms: Dimness, Shade
7. Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃə/
- Meaning: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
- Synonyms: Framework, Facilities
- Antonyms: Disorganization, Inefficiency
8. Liability /ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪti/
- Meaning: Legal responsibility for something, especially in terms of compensation.
- Synonyms: Accountability, Obligation
- Antonyms: Immunity, Exemption
9. Mimics /ˈmɪmɪks/
- Meaning: Imitates or replicates something.
- Synonyms: Imitates, Copies
- Antonyms: Original, Genuine
10. Notification /ˌnəʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
- Meaning: A message or signal that provides information or a warning.
- Synonyms: Alert, Message
- Antonyms: Silence, Neglect
11. Pave the way /peɪv ðə weɪ/
- Meaning: To make progress easier or possible for something to happen in the future.
- Synonyms: Prepare, Facilitate
- Antonyms: Obstruct, Hinder
12. Pedestrian /pəˈdestriən/
- Meaning: A person walking along a road or in a developed area.
- Synonyms: Walker, Passerby
- Antonyms: Driver, Rider
13. Perception /pəˈsɛpʃən/
- Meaning: The way something is understood, interpreted, or regarded.
- Synonyms: Awareness, Insight
- Antonyms: Misunderstanding, Ignorance
14. Radiate /ˈreɪdɪeɪt/
- Meaning: To emit energy, light, or heat in the form of rays or waves.
- Synonyms: Emit, Disperse
- Antonyms: Absorb, Contain
15. Revolutionize /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənaɪz/
- Meaning: To completely change something, especially in a way that makes it better.
- Synonyms: Transform, Modernize
- Antonyms: Preserve, Maintain
16. Serene /sɪˈriːn/
- Meaning: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
- Synonyms: Tranquil, Calm
- Antonyms: Chaotic, Turbulent
17. Signaling /ˈsɪɡnəlɪŋ/
- Meaning: Sending a sign or indication of something.
- Synonyms: Indicating, Communicating
- Antonyms: Concealing, Withholding
18. Streamline /ˈstriːmlaɪn/
- Meaning: To make a process or system more efficient and effective.
- Synonyms: Simplify, Optimize
- Antonyms: Complicate, Obstruct
19. Terrain /təˈreɪn/
- Meaning: A stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.
- Synonyms: Landscape, Topography
- Antonyms: Sky, Water
20. Unpredictable /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbl/
- Meaning: Not able to be predicted or anticipated.
- Synonyms: Erratic, Uncertain
- Antonyms: Predictable, Certain
21. Windshield /ˈwɪndʃiːld/
- Meaning: The front glass of a vehicle protecting occupants from wind and debris.
- Synonyms: Front glass, Windscreen
- Antonyms: Rear glass, Back window
Exercise of how driverless cars will change our world
A. The following words have two different meanings. Match each word with the meaning in the context of the text above.
a. glare: an intense blinding light
b. curb: a stone edging to a pavement or raised path
c. hail: to call somebody in order to attract their attention
d. commute: to travel regularly between workplace and home
e. serene: calm and peaceful
f. liability: the state of being legally responsible for something
g. deploy: to use something effectively
h. autonomous: a vehicle that has the technology to drive itself
i. perception: the ability to understand the true nature of something
B. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the sentences below.
Answer:
a. One of the features of automated cars is that…….
Ans: they have their own Voice to welcome people in them.
b. Driverless technology is being widely used particularly in….
Ans: the USA
c. The positive impact of the technology on the environment is…..
Ans: it reduces carbon production.
d. One of the problems with driverless technology is that….
Ans: it can’t deal with human drivers.
e. One of the biggest challenges of the automated cars is …
Ans:- human safety from It
f. The automated technology developed so far is
Ans: partly trustworthy
C. Answer the following questions.
a. Mention any three features of the driverless car.
⇒ Any three features of the driverless car are, it needs no driver, it helps lowering carbon emissions and welcomes passengers in its own system.
b. Describe the benefits of driverless technology.
⇒ The benefits of driverless technology are: it needs no driver and it provides safe travels.
c. What, according to Camilla Fowler, is the special advantage of automated vehicles?
⇒ According to Camilla Fowler, the special advantage of automated vehicles is there will be fewer fatalities.
d. What are the problems with driverless vehicles in David Hynd’s views?
⇒ In David Hynd’s views, the problem with the driverless vehicles is there will not be peace and serene in the vehicles.
e. What are scientists doing to make driverless technology safer?
⇒ The scientists are making test drives in different places and terrains to make driverless technology safer.
f. Do you think driverless technology is safer than human- controlled driving? Why?
⇒ I think, driverless technology is not safer than human- controlled driving because the men have more sense than the machines.
D. Think of any three other areas where artificial intelligence (AI) has been used. What is the benefits of using AI in these areas? Share your ideas with class.
Healthcare – AI is revolutionizing healthcare by improving diagnosis, patient care, and treatment development. AI-powered tools can analyze medical images like X-rays and MRIs with remarkable accuracy, enabling quicker and more precise diagnoses. In addition, AI accelerates drug discovery, reducing the time and cost of developing new treatments. Virtual health assistants and wearable devices further personalize care, making healthcare more efficient and accessible for patients worldwide.
Academic Research – In academic research, AI plays a critical role in accelerating discoveries and enhancing analysis. AI algorithms process vast amounts of data quickly, identifying patterns and insights that would take researchers much longer to uncover manually. Tools like natural language processing (NLP) aid in extracting valuable information from academic papers and synthesizing literature reviews. Additionally, AI-powered simulation and modeling tools enable researchers to test hypotheses and conduct experiments in virtual environments, driving innovation and expanding knowledge across disciplines.
Online Commerce – In online commerce, AI enhances user experience and business efficiency. Recommendation systems analyze customer preferences to suggest personalized products, increasing satisfaction and sales. AI chatbots provide instant, around-the-clock customer support, and streamlining service. Furthermore, advanced AI fraud detection systems protect consumers and businesses by identifying and preventing suspicious activities. AI continues to redefine how businesses engage with customers in the digital age.
Grammar
A. Match the following statements with the correct reported speech and notice how the statements are changed.
a. Khushi said, “I go to school every day by bus.”
⇒ Khusi said that she went to school every day by bus.
b. Karma said to me, “1 am sorry for coming late.”
⇒ Karma apologised for coming late.
c. Susan says, “I will leave for Bhanu next week.”
⇒ Susan says that she will eave for Bhanu the following.
d. Tshering said, ” I will surely meet you this Saturday.”
⇒ Tshering promised me to meet that Saturday.
e. “The bus leaves at six,” said the agent.
⇒ The agent informed us that the bus left at six.
f. “I have already finished my project work,” said She.
⇒ She said that she had alreadv finished her project work.
g. “I work from home these days,” , said Yanjal.
⇒ Yanjal said that he worked from house those days.
B. Complete the following sentences with the correct reporting verbs.
[advised, admitted, warned, offered, thanked, agreed, informed, agreed, apologised, promised]
a. “I broke the mirror.”
⇒ He admitted that he had broken the mirror.
b. “I’d go and see a doctor if I were you,” Pemba said to me.
⇒ Pemba advised me to see a doctor.
c. “I will send you out if you make a noise again,” said the librarian.
⇒ The librarian warned me not to make a noise again.
d. “I can come and help you plant rice,” said Raman.
⇒ Raman offered to help me plant rice.
e. “The classes start from next week,” said the assistant.
⇒ The assistant informed us that the classes start from the following week.
f. Sonam said to me, “Thank you so much for your help.”
⇒ Sonam thanked me for my help.
g. “OK, I will return your money by Saturday,” said Prakriti.
⇒ Prakriti promised to return my money by Saturday.
h. “I will really work hard and score good grades,” said Anupam.
⇒ Anupam agreed to work hard and get good grades.
i. “I am sorry for coming late,” said the speaker.
⇒ The speaker apologised for coming late.
Writing
The use of AI in technology is not only making people’s lives easier but also bringing new challenges. Write a newspaper article about the challenges brought by the advancement of AI in technology
Answer:
Implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies brings significant challenges. First, securing sensitive data within AI systems demands robust security protocols to prevent potential data breaches and ensure privacy. Another major concern is the absence of comprehensive ethical frameworks, which makes governing AI decision-making difficult and raises risks of unintended consequences. Developing algorithms capable of handling complex, nuanced tasks is also challenging, requiring high levels of sophistication and expertise.
Moreover, AI deployment can be costly, demanding substantial computing power, time, and other resources. Reliable data sources are essential, as AI systems rely heavily on high-quality data for training; inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to flawed outcomes. Additionally, because AI technology is still emerging, its efficacy often remains unproven, making it crucial for companies to weigh the risks before substantial investments.
For AI to reach its full potential, these challenges must be systematically addressed. Companies should prioritize creating secure, ethically governed AI systems, supported by high-quality data sources. With appropriate precautions and safeguards, AI has the potential to drive significant value and improve numerous aspects of daily life.
Thank You!