Self-driving cars: Is Phl ready?

The fast-paced technology evolution has changed people’s lives over the years. In fact, everything we do today is technology-driven, may we be at home, on the road, or in the workplace. But how has the Philippine workforce been coping with such fast changing trends? Are we ready for the new concepts ushered into the working environment? Take for instance, the self-driving car concept that is set to push mobile work at a higher level.

The XchangE Concept Car

Flexible workspace provider Regus has partnered with Rinspeed on the development of the concept car, the XchangE, which was recently showcased at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.

The XchangE is a concept car that supports Regus’ own goal of helping people work on the road allowing professionals to do business while stuck in traffic.

The innovative design of the XchangE allows the two front seats to swivel backwards, creating a mobile work and meeting space for four people. The car’s advanced technology and infotainment systems allow passengers to connect to their office, work productively, or make a presentation using a laptop. The result is a comfortable and confidential space that turns a traffic jam into productive “office” time.

In a research conducted by Luxembourg-based Regus with over 20,000 respondents, 75% of business people say flexible working boosts productivity.

Andre Sharpe, Global Product and Business Development Director at Regus, said “the XchangE is another illustration of Regus’s commitment to leading the workplace revolution.”

Frank M. Rinderknecht, founder and CEO of Rinspeed Inc, adds “Autonomous cars no longer require drivers to watch the road, so there’s an opportunity to make more meaningful use of their time. Regus’s expertise in helping people work more productively and flexibly makes it the ideal partner for developing this new concept.”

Intelligent Concept

With the country’s worsening traffic problems, this self-driving car concept seems to be a practical idea for busy professionals.

A Cebuano engineer believed the standardization of autonomous driving in the country is possible though it definitely requires so much money and effort investment from the government and other industries.

“Our leaders should first be technology thinkers kay sila man nag-regulate. If they will not allow it, we can’t impose this concept,” said Engr. Reynalo Ruedas, who is chairman of Electronics and Communications Engineering at a university in Cebu City.

With the heavy traffic conditions being experienced in major cities in the country, Ruedas said, self-driving technology is even more necessary now because it will allow people to be productive even while riding their cars.

“This is purely an intelligent idea,” Ruedas stressed. “It can be closer to reality but it requires a lot of things--allocate lanes for robot cars and technical expertise of the designers. This is a matter of smart programming and planning.”

Ruedas also believed that self-directed cars are less likely to be involved in traffic accidents considering that these would be programmed as to what specific actions or directions to carry out on the road.

He said, “Ang nakanindot ini kay di man gyod ni siya violator like some of our drivers now. Whatever is in the program, mosunod gyod ni siya. It is designed like that.”

If ever these self-driving cars reach the Philippine market, only the rich people though can even afford to buy, he said. 

Farfetched Idea

While driverless cars may sound like a brilliant concept, a Cebu business leader says it is a farfetched idea for the Filipino business community.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Philip N. Tan expressed his doubts on the applicability of these self-driving cars in the Philippines saying that there are still a lot to consider before this modern idea can be adapted by the Filipino workforce.

He said the government should first advance the country’s information technology and solve its basic problems such as poor road infrastructures and traffic congestion.

Tan, who owns Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation, said “I don’t think this will happen here given the environment and information technology that we have. This would still be a long way.”

He added that this car concept can only be applied in highly developed countries like Singapore, Japan and Europe.

For example Singapore, which is a small city that has higher car population compared to Cebu City but is not experiencing traffic congestion because of the well-designed road system its government has created, he said.

He added it even creates new roads every year to accommodate the increasing volume of vehicles in the city.

He said the success of this project, after all, lies always on the infrastructure of the country adding that, “This is also part of government’s perspective--if they are really willing to invest in this technology.”

This car technology is only necessary for a nation wherein time is so precious, he stressed saying that most Filipinos don’t value time and are always late in meetings.

Moreover, a busy and always on-the-move person Dr. Edgar R. Detoya, a certified public accountant, for his part said he already anticipates traffic problems to the point that he no longer gets bothered with it.

The Commission on Higher Education evaluator also noted that in the next five years he don’t see a serious need for Regus’ self-driving cars in the Philippines.

Also, to make this automotive technology effective, he said, the city — even the country — should have a perfect road system and more time to prepare the necessary infrastructures.

“Infrastructures are basic needs. This is given; this is supposed to be done without asking. I hate to say this: we are a member of NATO — no action talk only. Filipinos are only good at planning and arguing.”

Detoya, who is a college dean and a board member of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), said “you can actually convert dead time into something productive. It’s a matter of handling negative stuff like that. You can learn, meditate, reflect or even pray.”

“In the car, you can only do thinking work--no writing work. While driving, I take this time to think of the people I can talk to during the day and to condition myself of the day’s work ahead.”

People, especially professionals and businessman may have a lot of things to do but setting the right priorities, evaluating accomplishments and thinking of the tasks to be done first are extremely important, he advised.

On the other hand, Dean Detoya also said the large extent use of technology like self-driving cars will mean lesser human tasks. He described this as “dehumanization” where people are deprived from doing human tasks.

“At the end of the day, we should have a healthy, meaningful and happy life without sacrificing the expense of the quality of life,” he ended.