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

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.

Comments

How about trying to EARN trust.

[mjensen]

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

Trust comes from strict regulation and oversight

[Jzanu]

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.

Re:Less Talk, Have a Safe and Consistent Record

[TWX]

Who's Lebron James?

Trust Google.

[Chas]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

No...

Let me get this straight...

[burtosis]

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.

Trust isn't the problem

[hyades1]

Traffic flow is the problem. Self-driving cars will adhere slavishly to every letter of the law, even when it creates traffic havoc. Imagine a self-driving car doing exactly the speed limit in the passing lane as it inches by a self-driving transport truck doing five kph under the speed limit.

I believe Dennis Leary wrote a song that mentioned a situation much like it.

Re:Trust isn't the problem

[freeze128]

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.

I'm sorry dave...

[PhantomHarlock]

...I can't take you to that destination. The government told me not to.

saying we will cover you in court is a better way

[Joe_Dragon]

saying we will cover you in court is a better way.

be by saying we are liable for civil stuff and if there happens to be a criminal case we will cover your costs + bail if needed.

Alphabet - As Trustworthy as a Credit Bureau

[mnemotronic]

Your data, and your lives, are safe with us. Like, totally.

Sincerely, Alphabet and Equifax.