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IBM Technology Creates Smart Wingman For Self-Driving Cars (networkworld.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the quick-thinking dept.

coondoggie quotes a report from Network World: IBM said that it has patented a machine learning technology that defines how to shift control of an autonomous vehicle between a human driver and a vehicle control processor in the event of a potential emergency. Basically the patented IBM system employs onboard sensors and artificial intelligence to determine potential safety concerns and control whether self-driving vehicles are operated autonomously or by surrendering control to a human driver. The idea is that if a self-driving vehicle experiences an operational glitch like a faulty braking system, a burned-out headlight, poor visibility, bad road conditions, it could decide whether the on-board self-driving vehicle control processor or a human driver is in a better position to handle that anomaly. If the comparison determines that the vehicle control processor is better able to handle the anomaly, the vehicle is placed in autonomous mode," IBM stated. "The technology would be a smart wingman for both the human and the self-driving vehicle," said James Kozloski, manager, Computational Neuroscience and Multiscale Brain Modeling, IBM Research and co-inventor on the patent.

4 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Oh great! by Calydor · · Score: 2

    Wrong.

    In the event of an unavoidable crash the control is RELEASED to you so the AI isn't at fault for the crash.

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    -=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
  2. calm female voice... by bugs2squash · · Score: 2

    Imminent death predicted. You have 4 milliseconds to take control. Thank you for choosing IBM. Would you like Watson to choose a casket for you ?

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    Nullius in verba
  3. I can see it now by reboot246 · · Score: 2

    Just a couple of seconds before the collision the AI releases control of the vehicle back to the human and wakes up Leroy because he ain't never seen no accident like this one. :)

    Seriously, this looks like the perfect way for the AI to not be held responsible for any accidents. What are they going to think of when there is no option (no steering wheel, pedals, etc.) for a human to take control?

  4. Re:Oh great! by vtcodger · · Score: 2

    "In the event of an unavoidable crash the control is RELEASED to you"

    So, your Belchfire 5000 gets itself stuck on railroad tracks with a freight train barreling toward you at 100kph ... and it turns control over to you.

    This will come to be known as the "Hasta la vista, Baby" patent

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    You can't see ANYTHING from a car, You've got to get out of the goddamned contraption and walk...Edward Abbey