Video: Rita Kurtz, reporting from the Consumer
Electronic Show (CES), Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018.
Photo: AI generated electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.
Fotor AI, March 27, 2023.
Consumer Electronic Show (CES) Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018.
Photo by Rita Kurtz.
Flying Cars Are Here: eVTOL Technology and Social Psychology Discussion
In 2018, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas put on quite a display for the fast emerging drone technology. From landscaping to personal photography, drone technology increased viable humanitarian efforts as well as effective personal use. The evolution of drone, aircraft, and helicopter technology progression explore new innovations. Today, EVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, provide an excellent example of how people take care of the natural world, which is part of God's original design. In Genesis 1:28, God instructs Adam and Eve to fill the earth and subdue it, which can be interpreted as a call to responsible management of the natural world (New American Standard Bible, 1960/2022). EVTOL technology as a form of transportation which reduces the impact on the environment and increases efficiency, can be seen as a way of fulfilling this mandate. For example, using this technology to put out fires, evacuate the sick, cutback on car emissions, or deliver supplies to remote locations support helping others. However, other societal issues could cause greater concern. But how does one measure these concerns?
In researching complex stimuli and analyzing behavioral responses of research participants in laboratories presents as an interesting opportunity, yet there are now unparalleled chances for recording and analyzing people's continual information-seeking and computer-based "social" interactions as they live their lives in today's "digital" society (Fiske et al., 2010, p.38). Using consumer-based Heart Rate Variability (HRV), such as an Apple Watch, for measuring social neuroscience in order to test stress on a large scale could deem beneficial, especially with newer technologies such as eVTOLs, being on the brink of existence.
Hanna-Barbera's 1960s cartoon, The Jetsons (Memling et al., 1962), took us on an imaginary journey into personal spacecrafts in which, as of late, embodies today's reality. Currently, flying aircraft no longer exist in imaginary cartoons, it presents as realization and full fruition with today's advancements; however, societal concerns remain at the forefront.
Well-integrating the new innovative eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing technologies, bears its challenges to societal acceptance. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technologies, which uses artificial intelligence (AI), these "flying cars refer to transformable vehicles that can fly like an aircraft and drive like an automobile" (Swaminathan et al., 2022, p. 4105), and highlighted in this study, it can operate autonomously or with a human professional or novice pilot. Societal concerns spur in-depth research on social psychology. The paucity of information deems beneficial to study further concerning the upcoming advancement. The current technology in flying cars will be headed into full production (Becker, 2017, p. 96) along with current studies suggesting that flying automobiles may be commercially available by 2025 (Ahmed et al., 2020, p.2).
The positive aspect of EVTOL technologies supports the mobilization of individuals to fly at lower altitudes as flying cars. They present with the potential to become the future of personal transportation and taxis, offers better delivery drop-off and pick-up services, resulting in considerable reduction of emissions and greenhouse gases. The vertical takeoff and landing vehicles unleash the ability for private transportation. Unmanned aircraft usage reports as nothing new in recent years because of the emerging drone technology; however, the same societal concerns remain.
The concerns lie in respect to one's own privacy, morals, and security with eVTOL technology. For example, the drone study from Serifinelli (2022) reports that drones could result in potentially hazardous collisions if employed by untrained or careless pilots (p. 1241), hence, concerns with the similar social aspects arise in using eVTOL mobility.
The following are some of the social psychological difficulties that might have a role in the acceptance and adoption of eVTOLs:
1. Attitudes and beliefs regarding the new technology. People's attitudes and beliefs regarding new technology can have a considerable influence on the degree to which they are willing to adopt it. Attitudes and beliefs regarding eVTOLs may be influenced by a variety of
factors, including how beneficial they are thought to be, how easy they are to use, and how dangerous they are perceived to be. For example, the drone technology developed concerns based on noise in public spaces. Schäffer et al. (2021) suggests that the most recent research in the field of unmanned ariel vehicles (UAV), the unique acoustic qualities of drone noise, such as pure tones and high-frequency broadband noise, make it significantly more grating than the noise caused by road traffic or aircraft (p. 1).
2. Trust and the perception of safety: The potential users of eVTOLs will have a substantial concern over the safety of these aircraft. Trust in technology and a person's sense of their own safety have been demonstrated to be key determinants of the adoption of new technologies, according to research.
3. Social laws of society: Social laws that will need to be enforced in order to conduct proper management of eVTOL technologies remain a concerns in the impact on social networks regarding operating rules and increased liability with aircraft ownership. Businesses and residential dwellings will be potentially affected with the acceptance and adoption of eVTOLs.
In summary, new technologies require new studies into social psychology in order to accept and adapt to changes in society. Thoughts about the future of transportation implications for developing and promoting eVTOLs as a means of personal mobility are deemed worthy of investigation. A study on eVTOLs, HRV, and society could help identify the factors that need to be addressed to promote the acceptance and adoption of eVTOLs and could inform the design of targeted interventions to promote their use.
Rita Kurtz (PhD student) is a recent graduate of Harvard University with a master's degree from the Faculty of Arts & Sciences department. While at Harvard University, Rita took part in several projects, including a research study at the Langer Mindfulness Lab in the Department of Psychology which delved into the psychological effects of how news mediums impact the consumption and conveyance of news to the public. In writing in the sciences, she researched and wrote two research papers and presented them in front of fellow scientists. The first paper researched Nutraceutical Skin Therapy: Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ganoderma lucidum, a study on how mushrooms may support youthful skin and aid in patients suffering from the autoimmune disease, sarcoidosis. The second delved into extensive research on Meat Analogues: Are We Making a Positive Political Advancement to Save the Planet? Or A Personal Health Choice that Barely Sustains Ourselves? which uncovered the unnatural ingredients masked in meatless burgers from Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger.
Her interdisciplinary studies in law, anthropology and philosophy, makes her a well-rounded candidate. Her past academia undergraduate studies covered a gamut of disciplines including writing legal briefs and law courses in Constitutional Law, Business Law I &II, Torts, Corporate Finance, Business Policy, Economics, Chemistry, Chemistry Lab, and Consumer Behavior. She became a published nonfiction writer and a certified digital storyteller while at Harvard.
Rita was formerly a Government Account Executive supplying computer networks to the U.S. military around the globe creating relationships between the civilian sector and the government. She has also worked as a Record-Breaking Technical Recruiter, placing C-level executives in major tech companies and start-ups. Her well roundedness and entrepreneurial mindset led her to running a successful bakery at the Department of Defense (DoD) Air Force Exchange.
Rita is a digital creator, with some experience with Python Programming language. She stays current on mainstream topics as a blogger, social media influencer, and actress/entertainer. She divides her time between speaking, performing, and engaging in television, radio, and stage productions. She has covered tech news and innovations as a repeat spokesperson at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), MacWorld, and for Belkin Components. Her acting appearances aired on Lifetime, History Channel, Fox, and the Paramount Network, landing her on an Emmy-nominated show. Her experience in media, led to a career in television, radio, movies, and writing. As a prior executive producer, TV and radio host of a positive side of sports, life and entertainment variety show, her co-hosts included NFL players and Professionals. The show broadcasted on Warner Brothers Television and Fox. Her position led to interviews with billionaires, millionaires, celebrities, professional athletes, NASCAR drivers, professional medical staff, professional attorneys, musicians, and business owners. As a headline lead singer, she has toured with Grammy-Award winning musicians, and performed the national anthem for several professional sports teams around the country. Rita is a strong writer, researcher, listener, articulate speaker, and takes direction well. She is most recognized for the TV commercial in which she belted opera on a bus with a guy dressed like a Scandinavian viking-(877-CASHNOW).
Currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Division 1 General Psychology with a Christian lens, hones her past skill set as a Christian Youth Group Counselor and a contracted DoD Choir Director. Her current research interests include artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), law, ethics, morals, bioethics, aviation, military affairs, divinity and diversity. Her postgraduate studies at Liberty University allows her to research, analyze, test, generate new data, and the application of statistical and analytical data. Setting academic theories in psychology with a Christian worldview, opens deeper theories into more professional values, morals, ethics, behaviors, attitudes, justices, theoretical modeling, evidence-based modeling, culturally diversity standardization, leadership in trends, concepts, and methods. She is currently studying neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social-personality psychology, neurotheology, law, and statistics. Her main focus lies in self-regulation in the discipline of Health Psychology from a holistic-mind, body, spirit, and soul approach.
She is a current member of the American Psychological Association (APA), American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), Harvard Black Alumni Society (HBAS), Harvard Club of NY, Harvard Club of Southern California, and the Harvard Alumni Association. She currently resides in Beverly Hills, California. Her faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation for her life.
Awards:
- As of February 2023: SMARTscholarship 2023 semi-finalist.
- Harvard HGSE/HDS Academic Scholarship Award 2021 in Law, Politics, Economics, Ethics, American Democracy, and Religiosity––Dr. Cornell West and Professor Roberto Mangabeira Unger, S.J.D.
- Top 20 List on Talking Writer 2020
- SEFMD Science and Engineering Award in Microbiology,( First place and second place)
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References
Ahmed, S.S., Hulme, K.F., Fountas, G., Eker, U., Benedyk, I.V., Still, S.E., Anastasopoulos, P.C. (2020). The flying car—challenges and strategies toward future adoption. Frontier Built Environment 6:106. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2020.00106
Becker, E. P. (2017). The future of flying is near. Tribol. Lubric. Technology 73:96.
Fiske, S. T., Gilbert, D. T., & Lindzey, G. (2010). Handbook of Social Psychology. Wiley, p. 38. Memling, C., White, A., & Pratt, H. (1962). Hanna-Barbera the jetsons. Golden Press.
New American Standard Bible. (2022). Zondervan. (Original work published 1960)
Schäffer, B., Pieren, R., Heutschi, K., Wunderli, J. M., & Becker, S. (2021). Drone noise
emission characteristics and noise effects on humans-A systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(11), 5940. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115940
Serafinelli, E. (2022). Imagining the social future of drones. Convergence, 28(5), 1376– 1391. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548565211054904
Swaminathan, N., Reddy, S. R. P., RajaShekara, K., Haran, K.S. (2022). Flying cars and eVTOLs—technology advancements, powertrain architectures, and design. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 8 (4) pp. 4105-4117. doi: 10.1109/TTE.2022.3172960.