There are two issues preventing greater adoption of such systems in U.S. cars. First as mentioned in the article is the cost of such systems. Still too expensive. And second is driver arrogance. The belief we are all “good” drivers and do on need such systems or for that matter trust such systems. You get a sense of that when you hear people debate about self-driving cars.
There is a third issue you did not mention – people’s aversion to embrace new technology by focusing only on the potential consequences.
For one example, I know a few people on this site are against self-driving cars because they are worried the vehicles will get hacked and the hackers will intentionally cause accidents.
For another example, some folks are concerned the self-driving vehicle will endanger the lives of the driver and passenger if the car ‘decides’ to avoid hitting a school bus and drive itself off a cliff if that is deemed to be the “safest” choice for the automobile to make.
Considering airplanes can get hacked, cars right now can get hacked and come to a sudden stop by the hacker’s wishes, and everyone has a cell phone with numerous vulnerabilities (both iphone and android), their concerns – while absolutely valid – should be used to guide our focus on how to improve the technology instead of using the concerns as a means for refusing to adopt the tech in the first place.
After all, there are self-driving 18-wheelers on the highway right now and nobody seems to be complaining about them. Out of sight, out of mind?
Personally, I’m for self-driving vehicles because it means improved danger recognition (the car won’t be texting and driving or not paying full attention while entering an intersection) which I presume will yield fewer accidents and injuries.
No is definitely the answer to the first part of your question and maybe is the answer to the second part. Phone carriers would have to get on board with “when connected to car via bluetooth, diable SMS & MMS function.” That can be achieved with Android phones now, but only if the owner sets it up.
There are two issues preventing greater adoption of such systems in U.S. cars. First as mentioned in the article is the cost of such systems. Still too expensive. And second is driver arrogance. The belief we are all “good” drivers and do on need such systems or for that matter trust such systems. You get a sense of that when you hear people debate about self-driving cars.
There is a third issue you did not mention – people’s aversion to embrace new technology by focusing only on the potential consequences.
For one example, I know a few people on this site are against self-driving cars because they are worried the vehicles will get hacked and the hackers will intentionally cause accidents.
For another example, some folks are concerned the self-driving vehicle will endanger the lives of the driver and passenger if the car ‘decides’ to avoid hitting a school bus and drive itself off a cliff if that is deemed to be the “safest” choice for the automobile to make.
Considering airplanes can get hacked, cars right now can get hacked and come to a sudden stop by the hacker’s wishes, and everyone has a cell phone with numerous vulnerabilities (both iphone and android), their concerns – while absolutely valid – should be used to guide our focus on how to improve the technology instead of using the concerns as a means for refusing to adopt the tech in the first place.
After all, there are self-driving 18-wheelers on the highway right now and nobody seems to be complaining about them. Out of sight, out of mind?
Personally, I’m for self-driving vehicles because it means improved danger recognition (the car won’t be texting and driving or not paying full attention while entering an intersection) which I presume will yield fewer accidents and injuries.
Will the self driving car cruise right on through school zones without slowing down or disable a person’s cell so they can’t text while driving?
No is definitely the answer to the first part of your question and maybe is the answer to the second part. Phone carriers would have to get on board with “when connected to car via bluetooth, diable SMS & MMS function.” That can be achieved with Android phones now, but only if the owner sets it up.