Discussion Report 1

Article Summary: Erich

Tesla Tops List of Crashes Thought to Involve Driver-Assistance Technology. June 15, 2022. The Wall Street Journal

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In the article, Tesla Tops List of Crashes Thought to Involve Driver-Assistance Technology, by Ryan Felton and Rebecca Elliot of The Wall Street Journal, the authors go into detail about crashes that involved advanced driver assistance technology that is in high development stages by many car manufacturers. They go on to mention the potential dangers of the lack of transparency by car manufacturers when these systems fail. The article mentions the paradox of these systems creates as they are designed to keep us safe, while also becoming a glass crutch on the human drivers – giving a false sense of security and allowing our attention to wander. I have to agree with this stance in some regards. With a normal car crash of human error, there is typically negligence in one or both of the parties involved.  With these new technologies, does this further promote negligence? Perhaps it does. We’ve all seen those videos of people shaving, working, or even napping as their Tesla’s go down the interstate. I don’t think this is the goal of any driver assistance technology, but not enough is being done to combat this behavior.

When used appropriately, advanced driver assistance technology can save lives, that I have no doubt. The thought of having a second chance when perhaps you didn’t see a car in your blind spot or you were a tad slow in breaking and are about to hit a car or pedestrian is priceless to any driver. Having systems in place to help you overcome these mistakes isn’t the same as providing the opportunity to take a nap while on the road- which helps no one be safer. There needs to be more fail-safes requirements on car manufacturers in ensuring that drivers use driver assistance technology as an assistance to standard driver procedures and not a replacement of them.

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Commenter: Casse

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As someone who cannot drive because of a disability, the thought of "self-driving" cars intrigues me. I live in a rural area without much in the way of public transportation. I think this technology has the potential to make the world a more accessible place, however, I think there is a good amount of development that still needs to be done to make it a viable option for those of us with disabilities. I would much rather the roadways be safer than have more freedoms for myself.

Commenter: Top of Form

Erich,

I believe early on we will see setbacks with this technology, and while it may be more severe with car crashes and death, it is to be expected with any large advancement in technology.  I just purchased a new vehicle and it has many new, autonomous features meant to provide a safer experience, however, it catches me by surprise sometimes and can actually be disabled.  Not sure this helps the cause, but I think some education may need to be implemented.  Maybe driver education will take a portion of this role, but the use of the technology, while easy, can be dangerous as you pointed out.  

I believe we are only going to see this technology expand.  All major auto industries are involved and designing technology.  As it transforms, I am curious about what vehicles look like in 10-15 years.  I think the trend to the smaller, more aerodynamic structures will be realized to enhance the features.  If technology and advancement tell us anything, it is to think outside the box.  This has the potential for a major shift in what vehicles look like in addition to the features they have. 

Commenter: Karan

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With the advancement in technology, humans are trying to automate everything. I agree with the point that automation is not making humans smart. We are so dependent on technology that if we talk about some of the features introduced in the car, like a rear camera, side camera, radar, and lane assistant are common in new vehicles, new drivers are getting used to it. A fully self-driven car is a revolution in the car industry, and Tesla is leading in the game. As Casse Redus mentioned in his comment, it will benefit someone with a disability. I feel it will also be helpful to get a taxi at odd hours with self-driven cars. In the current market, every company is working on the entire self-driven car with safety as a priority. Because of peer pressure, companies keep introducing new features and approaching self-driving vehicles. Crashes happen during this process as drivers rely on it, but we are not yet there.

Commenter: Doyin

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Driver-assistance technology is still considered new technology and its demand is expected to increase over the next decade, fueled largely by regulatory and consumer interest in safety applications that protect drivers and reduce accidents.

One factor that could influence Driver-assistance technology uptake is the rate at which the technology advances. Although semiconductor companies and other players have made important enhancements in recent years, there is much room for improvement. For instance, forward-collision warning systems still have difficulty identifying objects when a vehicle is traveling at high speeds. A typical Driver-assistance application incorporates many technologies but four stand out with regard to the challenges they present: processors, sensors, software algorithms, and mapping.

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