Benefits of Autonomous Driving for an Aging Population in Rural Areas

These days, most advancements in mobility and autonomous driving technologies are geared towards millennials, Generation Z, and Generation X living in cities. These groups often seek solutions that offer them more time and comfort. While technological advancements are exciting and trendy, it’s important to remember that these solutions aim to improve lives and make a difference for as many people as possible.

When we talk about autonomous driving and mobility solutions, we often picture a tech-savvy person in a city environment using these services. It's almost instinctive to think of an app and an autonomous vehicle navigating urban streets. However, let’s take a moment to consider a different group of potential early adopters for these technologies.

Autonomous driving is more than just a vehicle; it’s a key enabler of intelligent mobility. Intelligent mobility focuses on community interaction, encouraging people to share, collaborate, and communicate to foster a communal mindset and behaviour.

Early Adopters

According to leading consultancies like PWC, McKinsey, Deloitte, and KPMG, early adopters of technology are those who embrace new solutions because they significantly improve their lives, both financially and emotionally. Many studies indicate that the early adopters of autonomous driving technologies are individuals with vision impairments and elderly people in rural areas.

A recent study by Roland Berger provides detailed insights into the market and the social benefits of these technologies. The study predicts that by 2060, the global average population aged 65 and above will be 30-35% in countries like China, Singapore, Italy, Germany, and South Korea, and up to 40% in Japan. Additionally, the distribution of the rural population as of 2015 highlights the significant presence of elderly individuals in these areas.

Benefits of Integrating Autonomous Driving in Rural Areas

Impact on Health and Happiness: Many of us have elderly relatives living in rural areas who no longer drive and rely on family or friends for daily tasks like shopping and doctor visits. Losing this independence can be disheartening. Technologies that help maintain independence and facilitate socialisation can profoundly impact the health and happiness of elderly individuals.

Reactivating Rural Communities: Rural areas often lack public transportation despite having good road networks. These regions, primarily populated by the elderly, can benefit significantly from improved transportation options, reconnecting and integrating isolated communities.

Increasing Mobility and Technology Adoption: Rural areas often lag in technology adoption due to inadequate internet infrastructure and outdated facilities. Introducing autonomous driving technologies can accelerate the adoption of new technologies and provide valuable feedback to tech companies for designing products that cater to elderly users. As a friend once said, "If your grandmother knows how to use it, it's a good design."

Sustainability: Most autonomous driving vehicles are electric, which can help replace older petrol and diesel vehicles in rural areas. This transition supports environmental sustainability and the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs).

While autonomous driving and intelligent mobility have transformative potential for rural areas, few initiatives are currently focused on this. According to the Roland Berger study, the business case is strong, suggesting it's only a matter of time before we see more developments in this space.

I firmly believe technology should improve our lives. I encourage technology companies and governments to invest in more trials in rural areas.