Self Driven Vehicles versus Manual Driving Vehicles

SELF DRIVEN VEHICLES VERSUS MANUAL DRIVING VEHICLES
1st Author 2nd Author 3rd Author
Author’s affiliation Author’s affiliation Author’s affiliation
1st line of address 1st line of address 1st line of address
2nd line of address 2nd line of address 2nd line of address
Telephone number Telephone number Telephone number
Telephone number, incl. country code Telephone number, incl. country code Telephone no.
1st Author Email address 2nd Author E-mail address 3rd Author E-mail address
Abstract
Due to technological advances in the
automobile industry, most manual driven
vehicles are being converted to automatic
ones with a variety of benefits derived
from them. The most important part that
has been modified to fit the requirements
of many people is the transmission system.
This paper looks at the views of drivers on
the benefits of automatic vehicles over
manual vehicles. The data used was
collected from 1300 people including
drivers and vehicle owners. This data was
randomly collected through interviews,
surveys, and discussions. The research
showed that manual driven vehicles were
few in Kenya with self-driven one's
existence becoming a preference in the
country. Interestingly, automatic vehicles
were the preference of females than males.
This was contributed by three factors
namely; quality, ease of operation, and
performance. On the other hand, manual
transmission vehicles are known by their
reliability and ease of repair. Other
advantages manual vehicles include low
fuel consumption and ruggedness. The
conclusion of the study is that manual
transmission vehicles are still the

preference of many people as opposed to
automatic ones although automatic
vehicles are speedily encroaching into the
lifestyle of many as time moves.
Key words
Self- driving vehicles; manual driving
vehicles; automatic gears; manual gears.
1. Introduction
Growth in technology has made it easy to
transform manual vehicles into automatic
vehicles as per the preference of many
users. One of the parts that have been
shown as easier to convert is the
transmission system. However, studies
indicate that manual transmission engines
were the first to be seen around [1]. There
have been improvements to improve the
transmission systems of vehicles to
accommodate the automatic features in the
vehicles and to meet the preference of
many users. Majority of vehicles being
manufactured currently are of automatic
gears irrespective of manual transmission
gears that are slowly diminishing from the
market. The automatic vehicles have been
made for the achievement of safety,
comfort, reliability and low fuel
consumption [9]. The benefits have made
the automatic geared vehicles mostly
preferred for light duties. The fact that
automatic vehicles do not use diesel
engines, their emissions are also reduced
compared to manual ones whose emissions
are greater. The manufacturing industries
have categorized automatic vehicles into
three types namely based on a hydro
transformer and planet gear, chain
mechanism plus planet gear, and specially
equipped double coupler with cylindrical
gear [2]. It is true that vehicles with
manual gears are strong and robust; they
can be used in rough places and can
withstand rough handling than their self-
driving counterparts [11]. Additionally,
manually driven cars comparatively cost
more than automatic ones. They also have
low maintenance, low fuel consumption,
as well as saving on repair cost. However,

for economy purposes, automatic vehicles
are the better option for many people. It is
also important to note that in manual
vehicles, drivers have full control of the
vehicle and less distraction as compared to
self- driven vehicles which drivers may be
distracted because they have few activities
to do to make the vehicle to move [4]. This
is because in manual vehicles the driver
always has his or her hands and legs
engaged on the steering wheel and brakes
and gears respectively hence, fewer
distractions. It is now evident that the
manufacturing and use of self-driven
vehicles are on the rise in both developing
and developed countries [8]. Therefore, the
question is whether to choose the manual
or automatic vehicle. This paper thus looks
at the views of people on their preferred
choice in Kenya.
2. Methodology
2.1 Area of Study
The survey was carried out in three big
towns in Kenya where an interview was
done to drivers. These three cities are
known to be busy cities in terms of
business and the population is high. In
addition, these cities are known to be
having a lot of transport activities and this
has led to the creation of many transport
organizations that manage the transport
sector [12]. Due to this overwhelming
transport business, importation of new and
used vehicles has become the order of the
day. Although personal vehicles are also
owned by many people, a lot of vehicles
both for personal and commercial use are
involved in business activities. Therefore,
the competition that exists between the
businesses has made the manufactures
invent new models of vehicles that would
fit the preference of business people [6].
The technology has, therefore, come up
with new vehicles that are now used to
transport passengers within the towns in
Kenya. Some of the vehicles that were
used in these cities include ford, wagon,
and Toyota minibusses.

2.2 Data collection techniques
The collection of data was done through
varied methods. This was done to ensure
the strengths and weaknesses of each
method are integrated. Using a multi-
approach technique is important because
there is no technique that is superior over
another, each individual technique has its
own weaknesses and strengths. These data
collection techniques, therefore, are
interrelated and should be applied
collaboratively. This approach led to
increased validity of the data collected as
well as increased depth of research. The
data collection techniques used in this
paper is highlighted below:
2.2.1 Survey
There were questionnaires that were
developed and given to drivers or users
who have had the opportunity to drive both
manual and automatic vehicles. The
questionnaires were constructed both for
the closed end and open end sets to help
achieve the required objectives. The set of
questions tested the knowledge in general,
for instance, the advantages and
disadvantages of both manual and
automatic vehicles, preference, and
challenges of each of the transmission
systems.
2.2.2 Interviews
This technique targeted the individuals
who could not find time to fill
questionnaires due to one reason or
another. Most of these respondents who
were subjected to interviews were illiterate
and could not read and write but they were
willing to participate by giving their
responses to the study. Their responses
were recorded on audio for the purposes of
evidence.
2.2.3 Group Discussions
A total of six group discussions were
conducted in the three big towns, for
instance, two in each town. The
participants were divided into gender;