Automakers Struggle With Keeping The Driver In Control Of Autonomous Vehicles

Problem:
If there's some way for a driver to assume the car is 100% autonomous, then they will make that assumption.

Solution:
1) Market your product as "driver assist", not as AutoPilot.
2) Do not include automatic steering. This will guarantee that the driver keeps their hands on the wheel, and remain at least partially alert.
3) Build in periodic "attention assessment" systems that test to see if the driver is attentive. If not, sound off the alarms -- with lights and sounds that are loud enough startle them back to attentiveness -- warn them that all assistance systems are about to disengage, give them some time to get their wits about them, and then disengage the assist systems.

If you're not a fully autonomous car, then do your best to *discourage* that assumption.

@BobM: you are pissing into the wind. You can go on to live your glorious life under a rock and let modern technology pass you by, or adapt and adopt.

Self-driving is marching on whether you like it or not. No one says fully autonomous driving is ready NOW, but it's inevitable and it's coming soon.

BobM wrote “…your list pretty much says "DON"T USE IT EVER" which then asks, what's the point?…”

That is your (mis)understanding of my post. Please re-read it as many times as you need to until you can see that I didn’t say that, nor imply that.

What I *AM* advocating is not to use a “drive assist” system as though it were an autonomous system, because it is not. That distinction is VERY different from your 100% incorrect, “black or white” (mis)understanding of my post.

@TheSteve I agree. Keep the driver behind the wheel, but increase the driver assist features.

@BobM: your ill temper and bad tantrum won't get you anywhere.

I don't need to dig up any obscure links to support the fact that development of self-driving is full-on now. It's in the news everywhere you look.

You (and I) may not like autonomous driving, but it's inevitable. Learn to accept it and live with whatever option you have. Nobody says it will be mandatory anyway so keep you paranoia in check.

BobM: Are you suggesting that when put to the vote, hate, personal attacks, and other venom wins? Actually, in light of public events over the past 12+ months, I'd say there could be some truth in that :-(

@TheSteve But your theory doesn't fly because Hillary lost.

Some people are obnoxious by nature - yes MD, that's you.

But then, there are vile people like BobM - he is combustible and predictable, a borderline sociopath. He represents the worst we witness everyday in the country: bigotry, hatred, anger, self promotion, putting down other people every chance he gets, not knowing the difference between kindness and weakness, lack of civility, ... He's the one craving for attention and gets mad when he did not get it - yeah Bob, those complaints about up and down arrows are really annoying. When he runs out of borrowed pseudo facts and opinions to back him, he would go on a tirade on partisan politics and name calling. That way he would wind up to be the "winner" since no one would bother to reply.

As for you Matt, take Bob as an example - don't be like him.

It is complicated. Someone has to push the envelope or we won't get anywhere. It is fair to say that there has been a failure in communication, education, and setting expectations and that is not a good start for autonomous vehicles.

As much as I love fronteering and "pushing the envelope," I'm not a fan of this being done with an unsuspecting public as a guinea pig, and when the "cost of failure" might be injury or death.

People die as it is. The only way to make these systems safe in the real world is to use them in the real world. So far they have not killed anyone who has used them properly.

Accident rates in Teslas are down 40% since the introduction of Autopilot. The technology works for the most part. Fully autonomous vehicles will be here within the next five years. Mark my words.

Sorry - but another Unattributed claim that is being disputed by the Insurance industry. TEsla accident rates and their associated costs is why a number of insurance companies have increased rates for Tesla owners.

While it is possible that fully autonomous vehicle could be produced - the problem remains a Liability one. Until they can sort this out at the Insurance level - you might have a real problem - because - it might require TWO types of insurance - a Driver policy - and a "Car" policy because the car may be driving AND - if it could be proven that an accident happened due to a flaw in the systems - this would create still another liability level for the Manufacturer.

A good example would be that car where the driver ignored the car warnings to take the wheel. THis is an example of negligence on the part of the driver - but would also be a problem both for the owner of the vehicle(who will be sued for that) AND the Manufacturer (For producing a system that ALLOWS the driver to ignore warnings).

I believe that until there is infrastructure to support autonomous cars separately - there will be lots of problems.