User:RebecaBrizuela/sandbox

Could dreams of self-driving vehicles be a thing of the past? Have we advanced so far in technology that such a feature now seems possible? Well, that is exactly what is being done with Tesla’s autopilot! We will soon be at a point where we could fall asleep while our car drives itself to our desired location. The car will essentially have a mind of its own leaving it to it’s actual job of getting us to where we need to be. When we are in charge of driving our vehicles, the risk increases to us individually which could result in flaws since the realization is that drivers are not perfect. With the invention of Tesla’s autopilot, there will need to be massive reforms in legal issues, security concerns, and social complications are apparent. Background The purpose for creating a self-operating vehicle is to help reduce accidents and to provide a safer road for individuals. The is self-driving vehicles have many features it offers to the consumer. “They have different ways of getting the driver to focus: They beep and flash warnings mostly.” (Stewart, 2018). The reality is that the vehicle has other functions to improve driving by detecting and avoiding objects that could possibly result in a tragedy. There are multiple cars provided different services such as the built-in camera which includes a face detector that identifies when the driver is focused. Another feature is on the steering wheel which detects when hands are on it. This is another feature that lets the vehicle know the driver is being attentive. If the driver does not have their hands on the wheel the car will make noise. Then there is the brakes that jerk quickly to keep the driver awake. All these features keep the driver focused on the road. If the driver is doing none of these the car will take action by slowing down and coming to a stop somewhere The self driving vehicle operates cameras and sensors that detect motion around the vehicle. Considering it has so many cameras and sensors at every angle it should make it safer and more effective to drive on its own. The motion sensor uses radio signals to help it know when objects are beside or in front. This helps the car to view wants around it to predicts its next move and maneuver the way its supposed to. Also, The vehicles can self park themselves that way the driver doesn’t have to struggle. The car can do it in one take without messing up. Who makes the self driving vehicle? Potential benefits With technology rapidly advancing, we will soon arrive to the point where this technology will be even safer to use than our own driving. This technology has the power to make real time legal decisions whereas our own driving has faults in which we try to take our own shortcuts. “Total percentage of drivers that will get a speeding ticket this year - 20.6 %” (Gray). Where accidents happen, it is not 100% of the time faults in the system in place of driving, it is the fault of the driver’s poor decision making. There is a whole world of possibilities when it comes to relying on machinery where our own human minds have faults. “Early twentieth century assembly line systems carried the concept of division of labor to an extreme and usually restricted each worker to the repetitive performance of one simple task. These individuals had few real skills, and they were not required to know any more than their basic job demanded. This human element proved to be the weakest link in the entire system” (Bruno). Just as the assembly line had decreased the use of human labor to ultimately reach a higher goal, this is just the beginning of another great tool that will lead us to fewer accidents. Considering the amount of hours we work a day, having to raise the kids, etc etc, there is barely enough time for sleep in modern day life. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013” (CDC, 2017). Like any other accident that occurs, it is always preventable. If we just paid attention to the laws set be forth us then such a technology would not even need to be necessary, but with a responsibility as great as driving when lives are on the line, something like this should most definitely be a necessity for the great of the future. When it comes to texting and driving, everyone has done it. Even though we all know we are putting ourselves and other at risk we believe nothing we happen to us and that we will have control over whatever happens. If the growth of self driving cars increases people will become more dependent on it and won’t focus on the road like they’re supposed to. For example, at red lights, the urge to behind the wheel is still very apparent and very easy to just give in. With the addition of such technology, the risk for accident while texting behind the wheel is sure to greatly decrease. “Smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times. But that can pose serious safety risks if someone decides to check his or her text messages, emails, phone calls, or any other mobile applications while driving” (Rosenbaum). When the car drives its own, it will ease our urge to check out phones. Legal and Ethical Issues Legal issues Tesla’s autopilot currently faces are glitches in the system. Though one of the function of the car is Since still in the beginning stages, it is not yet entirely capable of taking care of itself. Drivers’ must still be ready and aware for any problems which may occur during the operation. The goal for this feature is for the car to completely be able to take care of the travel to the desired location. There is also the complication of how insurance companies will face such technology. Will a driver neglecting his driving responsibilities be charged if another is to hit during the autopilot? Or vice versa, if the system were to glitch would it be on the driver or the car itself? There should be laws implemented in order for Tesla’s autopilot to be truly operational. Security concerns With great success however there is also the risk of great disaster. A big concern present, although not likely, is the possibility of hacking into the system. “hackers have taken remote control of a Tesla Model S from a distance of 12 miles, interfering with the car’s brakes, door locks, dashboard computer screen” (Solon) Social problems Since still in the beginning phases, some glitches still occur, such as random stops when it detects a possible hazard. “When a Tesla on autopilot recently crashed into a fire truck and another stopped on the Bay Bridge between San Francisco and Oakland, it renewed fears that the Tesla self-driving technology isn't all that good” (Texting Thumb). Although drivers are supposed to be aware of others in front of them, a car stopping for no reason is a risk of confusion to those behind. Tesla’s autopilot faces struggles due to the belief that since it is in the beginning stages that it will forever be no good. Lack of communication is also possible as well. Commonly, although not traditional practice, drivers will make hand signals, or flash their head lights, to warn or give way to other drivers. With autopilot, the ability to do so will not be there possibly making it confusing to others who are nervous behind the wheel. The development of Tesla’s autopilot is proof of how far we have come technologically wise. We are steadily moving towards a more self-automated future. The current Tesla’s autopilot is just the start of how great the technology will really get us in the long run. Bibliography

Stewart, Jack. “People Have Got to Stop Confusing Their Teslas for Self-Driving Cars.” Wired, Conde Nast, 1 Feb. 2018, www.wired.com/story/tesla-autopilot-crash-dui/ According the article the car has function to warn you and to make sure you are focused on the road and it’s not just the car driving itself. Automobile companies that own self driving cars make you sign a legal agreement that the owner will be focused on the road and be in the vehicle when it is on. Grossman, David. “Tesla's Autopilot Won't Get You Out of a DUI.” Popular Mechanics, Popular Mechanics, 15 Feb. 2018, www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a15842276/drunk-driver-autopilot-dui/. “The San Francisco man isn't the first Tesla driver to be caught passed out behind the wheel.” In this article it talks about several accidents in the self driving car and one of them was of a drunk driver. This displays one of people’s biggest fears about having a self driving car. This person probably thought he’s car was reliable enough to let him drive home. Also, this demonstrates that if these people relied on their cars what makes you think when more are developed more people will do this and can cause more accidents. This man was trying to use auto pilot for as an excuse to drive drunk and get away with it. So this is prevented before it is released there should be a law for owner who own self driving cars. “CDC Features.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Nov. 2017, www.cdc.gov/features/dsdrowsydriving/index.html. Drowsy drivers are as equal to drunk drivers and weighs the same amount of responsible for operating a vehicle on the road. It’s essential to know that how many death and accidents occur when people are tired. What’s to say that cars such as teslas might add to that number if it is sold to irresponsible owners who are dependent that the car will allow them to not be attentive on the roads. Wilton, Gray. How Many Speeding Tickets Does the Average American Driver Get per Lifetime or per Ten Years? 4 May 2017, www.quora.com/How-many-speeding-tickets-does-the-average-American-driver-get-per-lifetime-or-per-ten-years. I put this quote to show the statistics of tickets people get when driving past the speed limit. Also, to show that the number could reduce if self driving vehicles become more available to the consumers. Bruno, Leonard. “Assembly Line - Role Of Workers.” Human, Machines, Lines, and Robots - JRank Articles, science.jrank.org/pages/559/Assembly-Line-Role-workers.html. I placed this to demonstrate how far we have gone in technology and how it will keep growing. So far that we won’t be doing so much in the future but we will be replaced by the machinery. Bands, Texting Thumb. “Texting and Driving Statistics.” Texting and Driving Safety, No Texting and Driving, www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/. Though, Self-driving vehicles can make it safer to drive on the road it can always cause a risk to the driver. The driver will be more dependent on the car to do all the work while the driver may believe it is okay to text and drive. Even though this could be a problem, Auto Companies have resolved a way to make sure the driver is always alert. Rosenbaum, Eric. “A Tesla Self-Driving Blind Spot That Few Are Focusing On.” CNBC, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2018, www.cnbc.com/2018/02/08/a-tesla-self-driving-blind-spot-that-few-are-focusing-on.html.