class 10 english guide 2080 unit 1 : How Driverless Cars will Change Our World - Audible Books

Current Affairs and Issues

class 10 english guide 2080 unit 1 : How Driverless Cars will Change Our World discusses the developments in driverless technology, including the Waymo One robotaxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. While the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles are numerous, including improved safety and sustainability, there are still significant challenges to be overcome, such as operating safely in complex human environments, public perception, and regulatory issues. The next two years will be focused on addressing these challenges, including testing at facilities such as the Mcity Test Facility at the University of Michigan. Ultimately, the vision is for completely driverless vehicles that can be used anywhere in the world.

Reading Text: How Driverless Cars will Change Our World

It's late at night in the Metro area of Phoenix, Arizona. Under the artificial glare of street lamps, a car can be seen slowly approaching. Active sensors on the vehicle radiate a low hum. A green and blue 'W' glows from the windscreen, giving off just enough light to see inside – to a completely empty driver seat.

The wheel navigates the curb steadily, parking as an arrival notification pings on the phone of the person waiting for it. When they open the door to climb inside, a voice greets them over the vehicle's sound system. "Good evening, this car is all yours – with no one upfront," it says.

This is a Waymo One robotaxi, hailed just 10 minutes ago using an app. The open use of this service to the public, slowly expanding across the US, is one of the many developments signalling that driverless technology is truly becoming a part of our lives.

The promise of driverless technology has long been enticing. It has the potential to transform our experience of commuting and long journeys, take people out of high-risk working environments and streamline our industries. It's key to helping us build the cities of the future, where our reliance and relationship with cars are redefined – lowering carbon emissions and paving the way for more sustainable ways of living. And it could make our travel safer. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. "We want safer roads and less fatalities. Automation ultimately could provide that," says Camilla Fowler, head of automated transport for the UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

But in order for driverless technology to become mainstream, much still needs to change. "Driverless vehicles should be a very calm and serene way of getting from A to B. But not every human driver around it will be behaving in that way," says David Hynd, chief scientist for safety and investigations at TRL.

"It's got to be able to cope with human drivers speeding, for instance, or breaking the rules of the road." And that's not the only challenge. There's regulation, rethinking the highway code, public perception, improving the infrastructure of our streets, towns, cities, and the big question of ultimate liability for road accidents. "The whole insurance industry is looking into how they're going to deal with that change from a person being responsible and in charge to the vehicle doing that," says Richard Jinks, vice president of commercial at Oxfordshire-based driverless vehicle software company Oxbotica, which has been testing its technology in cars and delivery vehicles at several locations across the UK and Europe.

The ultimate vision experts are working towards is of completely driverless vehicles, both within industry, wider transport networks, and personal-use cars, that can be deployed and used anywhere and everywhere around the world.

But with all these hurdles in place, what exactly does the next 10 years have in store for autonomous vehicles?

Two years from now

The biggest hurdle for those in the driverless technology industry is how to get the cars to operate safely and effectively in complex and unpredictable human environments. Cracking this part of the puzzle will be the major focus of the next two years.

At the Mcity Test Facility at the University of Michigan, experts are addressing this. The world's first purpose-built testing ground for autonomous vehicles, it's a mini-town of sorts, made up of 16 acres of road and traffic infrastructure. It includes traffic signals and signs, underpasses, building facades, tree cover, home and garage exteriors for testing delivery and ride-hailing, and different terrains such as road, pedestrian walkways, railway tracks, and road markings which the vehicles must navigate. It's here that experts test scenarios that even the most experienced of drivers may be pressed to handle, from children playing in the street to two cars trying to merge on a junction at the same time.

Glossary from the Text

Metro /ˈmɛtroʊ/ - A rapid transit system, also known as a subway or underground, used for transportation in urban areas.

Artificial /ɑrˈtɪfɪʃl/ - Made or produced by human skill or labor rather than by natural processes; not genuine or natural.

Glare /ɡlɛr/ - A harsh, bright, dazzling light, often caused by reflection.

Radiate /ˈreɪdiˌeɪt/ - Emit energy, light, or heat in the form of rays or waves; to spread out from a central point.

Windscreen /ˈwɪndˌskrin/ - A transparent screen located at the front of a vehicle, designed to protect passengers from wind and debris.

Driver seat /ˈdraɪvər sit/ - The seat in a vehicle where the person who is driving sits.

Navigates /ˈnævəɡeɪts/ - To plan and direct the course of a vehicle or vessel.

Arrival notification /əˈraɪvəl ˌnoʊtəfɪˈkeɪʃən/ - A message or alert notifying someone that a person or vehicle has arrived at a destination.

Robotaxi /ˈroʊbəʊtæksi/ - A type of autonomous vehicle that is designed to operate as a taxi or ride-hailing service without a human driver.

Hailed /heɪld/ - To signal or call out to a vehicle, especially a taxi or ride-hailing service, in order to request a ride.

Enticing /ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ/ - Attractive or tempting; likely to lure or attract someone.

Transform /trænsˈfɔrm/ - To change the form, appearance, or nature of something.

Commuting /kəˈmjuːtɪŋ/ - The act of traveling to and from work or school on a regular basis.

High-risk /haɪ rɪsk/ - Associated with a greater than average risk or danger.

Streamline /ˈstriːmˌlaɪn/ - To make more efficient or organized by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps or processes.

Industries /ˈɪndəstriːz/ - A category of business activity, typically involving the manufacture or production of goods or services.

Reliance /rɪˈlaɪəns/ - Dependence on or trust in something or someone.

Redefined /riːdɪˈfaɪnd/ - To redefine something means to give it a new and different meaning or interpretation.

Emissions /ɪˈmɪʃənz/ - The production and discharge of something, especially gases or radiation.

Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ - Capable of being maintained or continued without depleting natural resources or causing significant environmental damage.

Safer /ˈseɪfər/ - Free from harm, danger, or risk.

World Health Organization /wɜrld hɛlθ ˌɔrgənəˈzeɪʃən/ - An international organization that works to promote public health around the world.

Estimates /ˈɛstəmeɪts/ - A rough calculation or approximation of the value, amount, or extent of something.

Fatalities /fəˈtælətiz/ - Deaths caused by accidents

Exercise of How Driverless Cars Will Change Our World [Class-10]

A. The following words have two different meanings.

Match each word with the meaning used in the context of the text above.

a. glare - ii. an intense blinding light

b. curb - i. a stone edging to a pavement or raised path

c. hail - i. to call somebody in order to attract their attention

d. commute - ii. to travel regularly between workplace and home

e. serene - i. calm and peaceful

f. liability - ii. the state of being legally responsible for something

g. deploy - ii. to use something effectively

h. autonomous - i. a vehicle that has the technology to drive itself

i. perception - ii. the ability to understand the true nature of something

B. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the sentences below.

a. One of the features of automated cars is that.....

i. they wait for the passengers.

ii. they approach slowly.

iii. They have their own voice to welcome people into them....

b. Driverless technology is being widely used particularly in .....

i. the USA ii. the UK iii. the UAE...

c. The positive impact of such technology on the environment is .....

Also Read :How Driverless Cars will Change Our World [Current Affairs & Issues] - NEB English Class 10: All Exercise

i. it prevents road accidents.

ii. it paves the way to sustainable life.

ii. it reduces carbon production....

d. One of the problems with driverless technology is that .....

i. it cannot deal with traffic system.

ii. it cannot deal with human drivers.

iii. it cannot cope with other cars....

e. One of the biggest challenges of automated cars is .....

i. its safety from the human environment

ii. human safety from it

iii. its durability in the human environment...

f. The automated technology developed so far is .....

i. completely trustworthy

ii. partly trustworthy

iii. not trustworthy at all...

C. Answer the following questions.

a. Mention any three features of the driverless car.

Answer: Three features of the driverless car mentioned in the text are:

i. It can sense the surrounding environment through sensors and cameras.

ii. It can make decisions on its own based on the data it collects.

iii. It can communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure to optimize driving.

b. Describe the benefits of driverless technology.

Answer: Driverless technology has several benefits, including reducing accidents caused by human error, improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, and making transportation accessible to people who cannot or should not drive themselves. In addition, driverless cars have the potential to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. They can also increase productivity by allowing people to work, read, or relax during their commutes. Overall, driverless technology has the potential to revolutionize transportation and improve our daily lives.

c. What, according to Camilla Fowler, is the special advantage of automated vehicles?

Answer: According to Camilla Fowler, the special advantage of automated vehicles is that they have the potential to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents.

d. What are the problems with driverless vehicles in David Hynd's view?

Answer: In David Hynd's view, the problems with driverless vehicles include:

- The technology is not yet advanced enough to handle all situations, such as adverse weather conditions or unexpected obstacles.

- There is a lack of public trust in the technology, which may lead to resistance to its implementation.

- The potential for job loss in the transportation industry.

e. What are scientists doing to make driverless technology safer?

Answer: Scientists are working to make driverless technology safer by improving the sensors and algorithms used by the vehicles, as well as conducting extensive testing to ensure their reliability and safety.

f. Do you think driverless technology is safer than human-controlled driving? Why?

Answer: The safety of driverless technology compared to human-controlled driving is a topic of debate. While the technology has the potential to reduce accidents caused by human error, it is not foolproof and can still encounter unexpected situations that it may need help to handle. Additionally, public trust in the technology is still developing, and until widespread adoption occurs, it may be difficult to determine its overall safety compared to human-controlled driving.

D. Think of any three other areas where artificial intelligence (Al) has been used. What are the benefits of using Al in these areas? Share your ideas with the class.

Answer: Three other areas where artificial intelligence (AI) has been used:

Also Read :Open Letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres [Current Affairs & Issues] - Class 10 NEB English Exercise

Healthcare: AI has been used in healthcare for diagnosing diseases, predicting patient outcomes, and recommending treatments. AI-powered tools can analyze vast amounts of medical data and assist doctors in making more accurate and informed decisions.

Finance: AI has been used in finance for fraud detection, credit scoring, and investment analysis. AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of financial data and identify patterns that humans might miss. This can help financial institutions make more informed decisions and reduce risks.

Education: AI has been used in education for personalized learning, intelligent tutoring systems, and student assessment. AI-powered tools can analyze student data and provide customized learning experiences to meet individual needs. This can help improve student performance and engagement in the classroom.

Grammar I

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 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.

D. Think of any three other areas where artificial intelligence (AI) has been used. What are the benefits of using AI in these areas? Share your ideas with the class.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field that involves the development of algorithms and computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as perception, reasoning, and decision-making. AI is being used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation, to automate tasks, analyze large amounts of data, and make predictions. The benefits of using AI in these areas are numerous, including improved efficiency, accuracy, and safety. As AI technology continues to advance, it has the potential to transform many industries and improve our lives in countless ways.

1. Healthcare: AI is being used in healthcare for various purposes, including disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of data, such as medical images or patient records, to identify patterns and make predictions. This can help healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses, develop more effective treatments, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
2. Finance: AI is used in finance to automate tasks, such as fraud detection, loan approvals, and investment management. AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of financial data to identify anomalies and patterns that may indicate fraud. They can also use machine learning to make predictions about market trends and investment opportunities, which can help investors make more informed decisions.
3. Transportation: AI is being used in transportation to improve safety and efficiency. Self-driving cars, for example, use AI algorithms to process sensor data and make decisions about how to navigate the road. This can reduce the risk of accidents caused by human error and improve traffic flow. AI is also being used in logistics to optimize shipping routes and reduce delivery times.

The benefits of using AI in these areas are numerous. By automating tasks and analyzing large amounts of data, AI can help improve efficiency and reduce costs. In healthcare, AI can help healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses and develop more effective treatments, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes. In finance, AI can help investors make more informed decisions and reduce the risk of fraud. In transportation, AI can help improve safety and reduce traffic congestion, which can save lives and reduce carbon emissions. Overall, AI has the potential to transform a wide range of industries and improve our lives in countless ways.