WJEC GCSE Digital Technology - Impact of Autonomous Vehicles

What is an autonomous vehicle also known as?

• Assisted car

• Manual car

• Self-drive car

• Remote control car

Answer explanation

An autonomous vehicle is also known as a self-drive car, as it can operate and navigate without human intervention.

Which of the following technologies is least likely to be utilized by autonomous vehicles for environmental sensing and navigation?

• Bluetooth for direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication

• LIDAR for high-resolution mapping

• GPS for global positioning

• Radar for obstacle detection

Answer explanation

Bluetooth is primarily used for short-range communication between devices and is not typically utilized for environmental sensing and navigation in autonomous vehicles.

What is 'platooning' in the context of autonomous vehicles, specifically regarding its impact on traffic flow and fuel efficiency?

• Vehicles communicating only in emergencies

• Vehicles parking automatically

• Vehicles driving closely together to reduce drag and save fuel

• Vehicles using solar power

Answer explanation

Vehicles driving closely together to reduce drag and save fuel

What level of SAE automation allows the driver to safely go to sleep?

• Level 2

• Level 4

• Level 3

• Level 5

Answer explanation

Level 5 of SAE automation allows the driver to safely go to sleep, as it is a fully autonomous system with no need for human intervention.

Which SAE level of autonomous driving represents a scenario where the vehicle is capable of performing all driving tasks under all conditions without any human intervention?

• Level 5

• Level 4

• Level 3

• Level 2

• Level 1

Answer explanation

Level 5 represents a scenario where the vehicle is capable of performing all driving tasks under all conditions without any human intervention.

What societal impact is predicted as a result of autonomous vehicles?

• Decrease in vehicle safety

• Increase in travel costs

• Increase in manual driving skills

• Reduction in travel time

Answer explanation

Reduction in travel time is predicted as a societal impact of autonomous vehicles, as they can optimize routes and traffic flow.

Considering the technological advancements in autonomous vehicles, which professional role is least likely to experience significant job displacement?

• Lorry drivers involved in long-haul transport

• Taxi drivers operating in urban environments

• Bus drivers on fixed routes

• Software developers specializing in AI and machine learning

Answer explanation

Software developers specializing in AI and machine learning are least likely to experience significant job displacement due to their expertise in the field of autonomous vehicles technology.

What is a potential disadvantage of autonomous vehicles?

• More car thefts

• Higher insurance costs

• Increased traffic jams

• Possibility of being hacked

Answer explanation

The potential disadvantage of autonomous vehicles is the possibility of being hacked, which can compromise the safety and security of the vehicle and its passengers.

Which of the following is NOT commonly cited as a benefit of autonomous vehicles?

• Elimination of accidents caused by human error

• Reduction in traffic congestion due to optimized routing

• Increased fuel consumption due to technological overhead

• Decrease in car insurance premiums due to lower accident risk

Answer explanation

Increased fuel consumption due to technological overhead is NOT commonly cited as a benefit of autonomous vehicles.

Which SAE automation level, often described as 'eyes off', requires the vehicle to handle situations that call for an immediate response, like emergency braking?

• Level 4

• Level 1

• Level 2

• Level 3

Answer explanation

Level 3, often described as 'eyes off', requires the vehicle to handle situations that call for an immediate response, like emergency braking.