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Volvo Unveils Autonomous Concept Car, WIth Retracting Wheel, 25" Display (computerworld.com)
Lucas123 writes: Volvo has revealed what is sees as the future of self-driving vehicles, a car that has three autonomous driving options, one of which includes a retracting steering wheel, reclining seats with foot rests and a tray table. Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, the Concept 26 also has a 25-in interactive display. Volvo is also among the first to address the subject of self-driving cars and liability, saying we firmly believe that car makers should take full responsibility for the actions of the car when it is driving in full autonomous mode."
To expand further. It is like if you are driving and you can safely avoid someone rear ending you. But you don't because they are liable.
The way Americans love to tailgate (follow too closely) you picked a good example. I've actually had to slam on my brakes because someone in front of me suddenly stopped (deer, I think). Since I wasn't following too closely, I had a good margin. But the jerk-off behind me was following much too closely in his large SUV and I saw he was about to plow into me. So I then had to punch the gas, move up another meter or two, and slam the brakes again which gave him barely enough time to stop and avoid me.
Now maybe the AI aboard this vehicle can cope with a situation like that. And maybe it can't. I sure hope it doesn't assume sanity among fellow drivers. With potential car accidents there are much more immediate concerns than legal liability. Who pays for it is something that gets settled later among the survivors. While getting rear-ended is usually not fatal unless it happens at crazy speeds, it can cause some painful long term damage especially to the neck and spine.
That was one of the closest calls I had but certainly not the only one. Just last week I was stuck behind a very slow driver (possibly a drunk). He was doing about 25 to 30 in a 45 mph zone during good conditions. There was no safe opportunity to pass him or her. Especially since I suspected intoxication I gave more following distance than I usually would. The moron behind me (also in a large SUV - coincidence?) decided to display his infantile patience by tailgating me very closely. Apparently he believed I was somehow responsible for what the guy in front of me was doing, even though he could plainly see I was as stuck as he was. Or he didn't care and just wanted to take out his infantile impatience on the first available target which was me.
Could an AI be smart enough to know a) what the speed limit was, b) how much below it the vehicle in front is moving, c) that these were good conditions, no adverse weather, etc, and d) that people tend not to go that slow unless something is wrong with them, put all of that together, and realize that the situation is more risky than normal? Do we have the tech to do that right now?
Typical future scenario in your autonomous vehicle: "Why the hell is the car slowing d... oh, I see..."
Here is a video of that actually happening, with Tesla's autopilot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.