Bison Bud

Crashes of Telsa vehicles using their "Auto-Pilot' software have been in the news again lately and I am wondering how others feel about sharing our roads and highways with software driven vehicles. While I realize that the manufacturer says that the software is meant to reduce accidents and the percentage of crashes is still rather low, they are obviously not without errors. All in all, I find this "Auto-Pilot" trend to be a rather disturbing and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the use of auto-pilot on our roads and highways at all. Sure human drivers make mistakes as well, but these computer driven vehicles can only do what they are programmed to do and I think it is impossible to write software that covers every possible scenario they may encounter. Anyway, is this really the wave of the future or is it possibly a misguided trend? Is the development of this kind of "Artificial Intelligence" really important enough to test it's use on our public roads and highways?

In any case, what are the laws that govern the use of this type of software and shouldn't we take a hard look at how we intend to proceed or not to proceed with this type of development before it goes much further? At least in my State, the operator of any motor vehicle must have a valid Operator's license, which requires at least some testing, etc. Do these computers have a license to operate in this manner or is just having a licensed operator on board enough to qualify, even if the licensed operator is paying no attention whatsoever? Frankly, there are enough technology distractions for drivers already and having auto-pilot available and by it's very nature and intent only encourages drivers to pay even less attention to the operation of their vehicle. I for one don't see how this is a good thing for all involved and I look forward to your responses on the subject. Good luck and good shooting to all.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

From what I've read about these crashes it seems these vehicles are having problems recognizing emergency vehicles pulled over to the side of the road with their emergency flashers going.

The auto-pilot vehicles are rear ending them and there has been at least one death. That's a serious glitch.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Other than driving drunks home from the bar, I'm not a big fan yet, I still enjoy driving although as I age, I'm probably getting more dangerous. I balk at driving at night in the rain, particularly in unfamiliar roads. Eventually it could be a great thing, but they damn well better not be running any MicroSoft software, or I'm becoming a hermit far away from anything that moves on it's own...

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I am not in favor of autonomous cars. I can't see them succeeding as long as we have fault insurance. In a driverless car who is at fault in an accident? The car owner, the manufacturer, the computer programmer, the government for the signage and controls of traffic. Too many open issues.

williejoha

What does this have to do with photography?
WJH

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

At the end of the day, the human driver is held responsible for any accidents, damages or injuries. Don't trust a robot with your future.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Is your question "why does UHH have a General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk) section?"

Abo

"This is your drive computer speaking;
I am in total control of the vehicle,
and nothing can go wrong grrrkk,
go wrong grrrkk,
go wrong grrrkk,
go wrong grrrkk,
go wrong grrrkk..."

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It's in the "General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)" section.

Curious - What part of (non-photography talk) don't you understand?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Abo

Head on collisions, mayhem etc provide great "Kodak Moments".

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

no12mo

The law says regarding this new technology that you MUST have your attention on the road (no distracted driving such as texting while riding these vehicles). You must have your hands ready to take control of the vehicle. It is clear to me that in the instance of rear ending pull-overs that the person behind the wheel was not minding his vehicle. There might be some minor problem with the software but there is no excuse for the person behind the wheel for distracted driving.

HistoryLover Loc: Landenberg,Pa.

Don’t like them, don’t trust them, don’t want them! Way too many things can go wrong. So many things are being hacked these days. Who’s to say they can’t hack into an automated car and make it do whatever. Saw a news report that they are trying this in big rigs. Would not want to be in front of one of those!

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

"How to Hack a Self-Driving Car"
https://physicsworld.com/a/how-to-hack-a-self-driving-car/