Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Alphabet's Waymo and Intel Are Launching Public Campaigns To Build Trust In Self-Driving Cars (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the public-opinion dept.

Alphabet's Waymo and Intel announced plans today to sponsor ads about self-driving cars. "Alphabet's Waymo is launching a public education campaign today called "Let's Talk Self-Driving" aimed at addressing the skepticism many people have about autonomous technology," reports The Verge. Meanwhile, "Intel said it would be airing its commercial starring LeBron James in the run-up to the NBA season opener on October 17th. From the report: The ad campaign will launch first in Arizona, before spreading to other states. Waymo is preparing to launch its first commercial ride-hailing service powered by its self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans, according to a recent report in The Information. This public education campaign would appear to be a prelude to inviting ordinary people to take a ride in a driverless vehicle. Both companies recognize that in order to make lots of money, there will need to be a robust effort to persuade people that autonomous vehicles are as safe, if not safer, than human-operated ones. Recent polls suggest that most people wouldn't take a ride in a driverless car, even if they like the idea surrounding the technology.

6 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. How about trying to EARN trust. by mjensen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Having famous people promote the cars is a sign
    to me that the cars are not reliable.

  2. Trust comes from strict regulation and oversight by Jzanu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Companies can't play god with public safety. Build trust by lobbying for increased automation regulation. Enact laws requiring strict safety functionality in all functions, and advertise heavily once you exceed it.

  3. Re:Less Talk, Have a Safe and Consistent Record by TWX · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Who's Lebron James?

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  4. Trust Google. by Chas · · Score: 3, Insightful

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    No...

    --


    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!
  5. Let me get this straight... by burtosis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Autonomous car makers get the the house to relax nearly all regulations on autonomous cars. Now they want us to just trust them? I don't even trust the senate isn't as well paid off and this will become law.

  6. Re:Trust isn't the problem by freeze128 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That might be the problem where you live, but not where I live: Minnesota. Will self-driving cars still be reliable when the street is covered in snow, so it can't see the lines? Or when it snows so much that the snow sticks to traffic signs making them unreadable? How about stopping at a traffic light when the street is covered in black ice?

    You want my trust in self driving cars? Then have several of them drive around here in the winter.