Smart this, smart that – but is everything smart enough to function completely without the human factor?
Smart technology has (logically) also entered the auto industry, so many believe that we are approaching a future without car accidents due to systems designed to reduce human error and involvement – autonomous vehicles (AVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). But it’s not quite like that and do you know why?
Machine-guided algorithm technology still cannot fully capture human unpredictability. Even though they are getting better and better, can we still fully trust and rely on them?
How Do Crash Algorithms Work?
The foundation of smart cars and ADAS are actually crash algorithms that process huge amounts of data in real-time from various sensors, cameras, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR).
By assessing different factors (e.g., speed, distance, and object recognition) they aim to react by braking, accelerating, or steering in order to completely avoid or minimize damage and possible injuries.
They are so sophisticated that their ability is measured in milliseconds from analysis to reaction, although there are multiple factors behind all of this.
Speed and Distance Calculation
You’re probably all already familiar with cruise control. These types of systems are pretty much what they sound like: they automatically adjust your speed and predict the risk of collision based on speed and distance measurements of other vehicles. Not shabby at all, right?
Object Recognition
Of course, not every traffic participant is the same, so the system recognizes vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and even stationary obstacles.
This is where artificial intelligence (AI) comes into play. This system still struggles a bit against bad weather and lighting, but improvements are always being made.
Collision Angle and Impact Assessment
This is the most interesting part. The systems can even estimate the potential angle and force at which a collision will occur, allowing it to decide which is the safest option to avoid or brake. Now, we have a small ethical dilemma.
How does the system choose who to mitigate the damage – to you or to others? This further complicates the design and implementation.
Why Human Error Still Causes Smart Car Accidents
If you’ve ever stopped and watched – traffic is one big jungle, and the participants are people, and people are unpredictable. We’ll start from there. Systems are designed to function in a predictable controlled environment and respect signs and rules, so they think that’s how everything works.
And then XY person comes along and decides (suddenly) to turn without signaling and take away someone’s right of way along the way. And systems, what are we going to do now?
Another problem is partial automation, where the vehicle does most of the “work” but still requires our supervision, so drivers rely too much on these systems, assuming that the car will react in every situation.
Smart Car Accidents Bring Both Legal and Ethical Complications
Just as we have stated previously, no one or anything can be perfect – not technology, and especially not humans. A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declared that up to 90% of all vehicular accidents would be brought down, all because of artificial intelligence being integrated into transportation.
But what to do when people rely on technology while driving, and that same technology fails due to bad weather conditions, potholes, or unexpected obstacles When an accident occurs in such circumstances, determining liability can be quite complex.
The state of Illinois has, back in 2017, passed legislation that prevents local governments from banning self-driving cars. This has served as a unified framework, a foundation, to research, develop, build, and sell AVs.
The Windy City (Chicago) has been hit most by this, and has reported the largest number of sold AVs. In fact, taking into account the heavy and congested traffic in the city, a perfect foundation is formed for accidents which involve AVs.
Think of being in a car moving through Chicago: it is busy and raining. Some roadworks come up, sudden braking starts in front of you, your car doesn’t react, but neither do you because you relied on technology and an accident happens. Who’s fault is that?
Well, it’s not quite that simple because there’s a difference whether you drive an autonomous or semi-autonomous car. The court should decide whether the drivers were sufficiently informed about the system’s limitations and whether the manufacturer took enough steps to prevent misuse.
Also, consider the fact that in some states (Illinois isn’t one of those states), where even if you’re having the car drive for you (as it is in semi-autonomous vehicles (e.g., Tesla’s Autopilot, GM’s Super Cruise, etc.), you’re still required to have both your hands on the steering wheel and your feet at the pedals – just in case. This is, however, hard to prove or disprove.
Fully autonomous vehicles, on the other hand, don’t even have a steering wheel or pedals, so, that rule goes out of the window.
And while most can agree that there are a number of ethical dilemmas surrounding semi- or fully-autonomous driving, this is still pretty much a gray area and if you’re in Chicago and you find yourself in such an accident, the advice is always to get a Chicago auto accident attorney who’ll help you with complicated legal tangles associated with smart cars.
And on the other hand, we have an ethical question. Algorithms are programmed to make decisions in split seconds and make life-or-death decisions. Well, then who should be prioritized in terms of safety – passengers in the vehicle or those other participants in the accident?
Of course, there is no answer to this question because in such situations there are no winners or losers because each option results in some damage. The way these systems work we can only accept and use or not.
Conclusion
Although smart cars and advanced crash systems have improved road safety – they are not infallible. Just like us humans.
Unpredictable behavior, distraction, poor weather, and road conditions always make driving difficult. There are also unresolved legal and ethical questions that are very difficult (or impossible) to answer.