GoCompare.com has surveyed plumbers to find out which future driving technology they are most looking forward to – and which ones they’re most worried about.
A hundred years ago, science fiction writers and futurists were predicting flying cars, robot butlers and television phone calls. While they turned out to be right about the robots and the video calls, flying cars have yet to materialise.
But there have been a number of technological advancements in our vehicles, with more planned for the future. A new survey from Gocompare.com Van Insurance asked plumbers what they think of the technology that might affect their business.
Safety first
Safety was a concern when it came to new technology. 50% of respondents said they thought futuristic technology might provide a safety risk, whilst 25% were also concerned about the financial strain future technology may cause.
The next most worrisome factor for plumbers was the potential for reliance on technology. Half (50%) said they thought the ease involved in using future van technology would make workers over-reliant on gadgets over their own skills.
The Van of the Future
Safety might be an issue, but what about the positives? What tech would be the most useful for plumbers? While surprisingly only 6% were interested in the ability to have a smart dashboard interface in their vans – suggesting digital integration isn’t a priority – other potential inventions proved more popular:
- Automatic parking – 20% of survey respondents were keen on having their van do the heavy lifting when it comes to getting into those tight parking spaces. One went so far as to say “Parking is my nemesis”.
- Biometric vehicle access – 20% of plumbers support the arrival of biometric vehicle access, such as using your fingerprint to unlock your van.
- Driverless functionality – Some drivers seemed less keen on actually driving, with 13% saying they thought having a van that drove itself would be quite helpful.
The future is bright
Overall, optimism towards technology is high, with 87% of respondents being interested in at least one of the forms of technology on offer. 46% felt that their efficiency would be increased by the advancements, and a further 38% were interested in the improvements to their safety as a result of added resources.
Matt Oliver, from Gocompare.com Van Insurance, said: “Technology is designed in the hopes of making our lives easier, and while not all van drivers are looking forward to all potential advancements, there’s still a majority with a positive outlook towards the future of their vehicles, and of their industries as a result.”
For more information on vans and van insurance, visit the GoCompare.com website.
