ed, intelligent machines have increasingly attained significance in modern society.
Converging Historical Forces
Combining a new purpose for “smart” automotive technology with robotics seems a natural development to some extent. Already, computers have demonstrated the ability to perform mathematical calculations more rapidly and precisely than human beings. They might indeed in the near future assume the task of driving, processing a myriad of directional calculations rapidly within seconds, freeing human occupants in a vehicle to relax or conduct business while their automobile seamlessly trundles towards its destination.
Why does this scenario appear likely? For one thing, some very astute business investors have already begun sinking money into research designed to furnish widely-applicable utilities and accessories to autonomous car makers. Just recently for example, Ford and venture capital firms reported that they had invested some $6.6 million in Civil Maps, a startup hoping to transform data obtained from vehicle sensors into digital maps suitable for use by artificially intelligent machines. These types of expenditures suggest that many industry leaders hope to achieve significant financial benefits investing in autonomous automotive technologies.
Pitfalls Along The Way
Of course, several obstacles still stand in the way of the popularization of machine-operated vehicles. Sadly, Tesla Motors recently revealed that a few months ago, the first human self-driving car fatality occurred during testing of its innovative Model S Autopilot System. In an accident still under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, both a driver using the automated system and the equipment failed to distinguish a tractor trailer in time to avoid a collision.
New traffic regulations also pose a stumbling block for the advent of driver-less vehicles. While some jurisdictions may permit designated lanes for autonomous cars, automakers will need to “idiot-proof” their robots to prevent inadvertent accidents with hapless human drivers. Even though computers will take the most effective precautions to avoid accidents, people do not always demonstrate good sense on the road. For instance, despite years of highway carnage and thousands of fatalities, a shockingly high number of impaired drivers still travel over public roads, especially at certain times of night.
The Liability Issue
Another troublesome factor awaiting public debate in the near future may also prove decisive in determining whether or not self-driving vehicles become a widespread reality soon. Although some forecasters predict the arrival of these robotic cars in many cities within four years, human regulators have yet to develop rules answering complex legal questions involving liability and insurance. How will courts allocate responsibility when autonomous vehicles crash into property, kill people or cause multi-car pileups that injure human drivers and passengers?
While self-driving robotic cars currently do maintain a significantly better safety record than human drivers, far fewer of these vehicles have tackled real-world driving conditions to date than automobiles driven by humans. Insurers may lack the ability to accurately evaluate performance records in the absence of extensive data. While some states have granted permission to autonomous car manufacturers to test their vehicles on public streets, authorizing routine driving may require extensive new legislation. The process might face some rigorous legislative hurdles.
An Intense Competition
Meanwhile, many highly respected automakers and technology firms strive to develop the best new autonomous vehicle. Many analysts believe Alphabet’s Google may currently occupy a leading position in the race, thanks in part to its rich storehouse of mapping technologies. The firm recently partnered with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to develop a fleet of new autonomous minivans.
Yet other analysts, such as the firm Navigant, have ranked Daimler in first place in producing self-driving vehicles equipped with s