Thứ Bảy, 22 tháng 10, 2016
So what is it about building autonomous cars that is proving to be such a challenge? The high-value consumer electronics and software industry is used to very different margins than the cut-throat automotive sector, which has tough market entry conditions and tribal supply-chain relationships. Then there is the technological challenge of effectively integrating sensing, communication and autonomous technology to deliver a genuinely safe product. Modern vehicles, even those without self-driving technology, are making increasing use of artificial intelligence. It’s playing a critical role in increasing fuel economy, providing active safety systems, advancing navigation, and adding various driver-assistance tools that build up towards full self-driving capability. But integrating all the physical and software technologies needed for these systems is a complex task. At the heart of this challenge is the cost of failure – human life. The recent fatal accident involving Tesla’s “autopilot” system serves as a tragic reminder of this. Car manufacturers have traditionally had to prove the safety of their vehicles through road tests on dedicated testing tracks, as well as a series of assessments to show risks are at an acceptable level. But the increasing number of interdependent technologies within a car and their complex levels of integration ultimately means more difficult testing. This is not system testing as Apple and Google know it. Neither is the industry forgiving of system failures, as shown by the major product recalls that take place after a software glitch. Capture and communication of personal data is another feature of modern cars. And storing details of everything from journey routes to driver behaviour adds to the growing privacy concerns about how much data on us companies collect. The technology giants have built much of their business around collecting and monetising this kind of data, but the issue is also at the heart of the latest challenge faced by Google thanks to opposition by Californian lawmakers. The commercial interest in such data makes it even more of a challenge, in privacy terms, to reach consensus on and resolve. This problem is made worse by the issue of how secure this data is. A key element of driverless technology is the car’s ability to communicate with other systems around it. This opens a channel through which hackers could not only steal data but even take control of the car. Attacks have already been demonstrated against car’s internet connections and even their tyre pressure wireless sensors. This has already brought legal challenges for the automotive industry, with Toyota, GM and Ford subject to a class action lawsuit for “dangerous defects”. There is also the problem of how drivers interact with autonomous technology – where human control ends and automatic control begins – that only adds more complexity. Not to mention the potential physical effects on drivers of not having to watch the road all the time. What’s more, there are serious ethical questions for designers of artificial intelligence in self-driving cars that are bound to change the dynamics of their design. For example, should a car crash itself to avoid hitting pedestrians? The software industry has tackled many of these kinds problems over the years. But building a fully driverless car goes far beyond the software component. It requires a complex interaction of numerous digital and physical systems, each with their own technical and legal issues. In the 1960s, American political activist Ralph Nader campaigned successfully for automotive manufacturers to bear responsibility for design defects in their cars and not shift them to car owners. Ultimately, self-driving cars will mean manufacturers also have to take responsibility for every second of operation on the roads. So far, that has proven too big a challenge for even the biggest tech firms. This article originally published at The Conversation here
We may have just seen a major player in the drive towards autonomous cars apply screeching brakes. Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans to build its own self-driving electric vehicle and is instead going to focus on the underlying autonomous software. A similar initiative to produce a fully autonomous car by Google also appeared to run out of steam. Building self-driving cars clearly poses a challenge that even the world’s top technology giants can’t yet meet.
Thứ Tư, 27 tháng 4, 2016
LONDON — Volvo is starting a scheme that will see 100 families being driven around by driverless cars in London next year. Described as "UK's most ambitious autonomous driving trial," the Drive Me scheme will kick off with a limited number of semi-automatic cars taking to the streets of the capital early next year. The plan will then be extended in 2018 to up to 100 vehicles. The Swedish company says the introduction of automatic driving cars will "revolutionise Britain's roads in four main areas — safety, congestion, pollution and time saving," as up to 90% of all road accidents are caused by driver error or distraction. Similar tests are due to take place in Gothenburg and across China. “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo, said in a statement. Volvo has not explained which parts of London will be used for the trial, but participants will have to sit behind the wheel because of the laws around autonomous vehicles. British towns such as Milton Keynes and Bristol already have testing areas for driverless cars but this would be the first time autonomous vehicles will take to the streets. Adapted Volvo's XC90 vehicles will be used in the trial. The Chancellor George Osborne has promised to introduce legislation that will allow autonomous vehicles on British motorways by 2020. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Driverless cars will see our journeys become faster, cleaner and safer. "The UK is leading the way in developing the technology needed to make this a reality thanks to our world-class research base and these types of trials will become increasingly common." Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
LONDON — Volvo is starting a scheme that will see 100 families being driven around by driverless cars in London next year. Described as "UK's most ambitious autonomous driving trial," the Drive Me scheme will kick off with a limited number of semi-automatic cars taking to the streets of the capital early next year. The plan will then be extended in 2018 to up to 100 vehicles. The Swedish company says the introduction of automatic driving cars will "revolutionise Britain's roads in four main areas — safety, congestion, pollution and time saving," as up to 90% of all road accidents are caused by driver error or distraction. Similar tests are due to take place in Gothenburg and across China. “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo, said in a statement. Volvo has not explained which parts of London will be used for the trial, but participants will have to sit behind the wheel because of the laws around autonomous vehicles. British towns such as Milton Keynes and Bristol already have testing areas for driverless cars but this would be the first time autonomous vehicles will take to the streets. Adapted Volvo's XC90 vehicles will be used in the trial. The Chancellor George Osborne has promised to introduce legislation that will allow autonomous vehicles on British motorways by 2020. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Driverless cars will see our journeys become faster, cleaner and safer. "The UK is leading the way in developing the technology needed to make this a reality thanks to our world-class research base and these types of trials will become increasingly common." Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
LONDON — Volvo is starting a scheme that will see 100 families being driven around by driverless cars in London next year. Described as "UK's most ambitious autonomous driving trial," the Drive Me scheme will kick off with a limited number of semi-automatic cars taking to the streets of the capital early next year. The plan will then be extended in 2018 to up to 100 vehicles. The Swedish company says the introduction of automatic driving cars will "revolutionise Britain's roads in four main areas — safety, congestion, pollution and time saving," as up to 90% of all road accidents are caused by driver error or distraction. Similar tests are due to take place in Gothenburg and across China. “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo, said in a statement. Volvo has not explained which parts of London will be used for the trial, but participants will have to sit behind the wheel because of the laws around autonomous vehicles. British towns such as Milton Keynes and Bristol already have testing areas for driverless cars but this would be the first time autonomous vehicles will take to the streets. Adapted Volvo's XC90 vehicles will be used in the trial. The Chancellor George Osborne has promised to introduce legislation that will allow autonomous vehicles on British motorways by 2020. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Driverless cars will see our journeys become faster, cleaner and safer. "The UK is leading the way in developing the technology needed to make this a reality thanks to our world-class research base and these types of trials will become increasingly common." Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
LONDON — Volvo is starting a scheme that will see 100 families being driven around by driverless cars in London next year. Described as "UK's most ambitious autonomous driving trial," the Drive Me scheme will kick off with a limited number of semi-automatic cars taking to the streets of the capital early next year. The plan will then be extended in 2018 to up to 100 vehicles. The Swedish company says the introduction of automatic driving cars will "revolutionise Britain's roads in four main areas — safety, congestion, pollution and time saving," as up to 90% of all road accidents are caused by driver error or distraction. Similar tests are due to take place in Gothenburg and across China. “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” “Autonomous driving represents a leap forward in car safety,” Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo, said in a statement. Volvo has not explained which parts of London will be used for the trial, but participants will have to sit behind the wheel because of the laws around autonomous vehicles. British towns such as Milton Keynes and Bristol already have testing areas for driverless cars but this would be the first time autonomous vehicles will take to the streets. Adapted Volvo's XC90 vehicles will be used in the trial. The Chancellor George Osborne has promised to introduce legislation that will allow autonomous vehicles on British motorways by 2020. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Driverless cars will see our journeys become faster, cleaner and safer. "The UK is leading the way in developing the technology needed to make this a reality thanks to our world-class research base and these types of trials will become increasingly common." Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
