Driverless Car Worries Many

Hi Gang,

The results of a Harris Poll are interesting.  A study, commissioned by Seapine Software, revealed that 88 percent of U.S. adults would be worried about riding in a driverless car.  The survey was conducted among 2,039 adults ages 18 and older.  It found found that three-fourths (79 percent) of U.S. adults would worry that the equipment in a driverless car will fail, such as a braking software glitch or a failed warning sensor that alerts the driver of danger.

The study also revealed the following concerns of U.S. adults would have about riding in driverless cars: 

• More than half (59 percent) are worried about liability issues, such as who would be responsible if a driverless car is involved in an accident.
• 52 percent fear a hacker could breach the driverless car’s system and gain control of the vehicle. 
• More than one-third (37 percent) worry auto companies, insurers, advertisers and municipalities may collect personal data such as where the car goes and how fast it’s traveling. 
• Only 12 percent said they would not be worried about riding in a driverless car.

Dr. Gizmo's Take:

 

Right now there is much experimentation with driverless cars.  The above poll is part of the experimentation.  Obviously, as technology evolves driverless cars are in our future but that's way down the road.  

I believe that if our society moves into driverless cars a vehicle operator will still be responsible much as an aircraft pilot is responsible for flight safety and the safety of passengers when the auto pilot is engaged.  With that being said, a vehicle operator will need to be alert and focused on driving to take over control of the vehicle in the blink of an eye.