Topic > The autonomous vehicle: from science fiction to the development of reality

It is the year 3000. Cars are obsolete; Zero-emission, self-driving pods have long become the standard means of transportation. Such a world is no longer simply an object of science fiction, but a reality that can be achieved in the not so distant future. Decades after the invention of automobiles, they have already evolved from primitive pieces of metal to computers on wheels. However, the convenience they offer comes with significant risks, and while Terminator may represent an extreme scenario, it is certainly reasonable to be wary of advances in technology. As the use of autonomous vehicles becomes more widespread, current legislation is insufficient to regulate the dangers that will arise and therefore new laws need to be created. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay With the development of autonomous vehicles, the concept of human-machine relationships and, consequently, the laws that govern these interactions must change dramatically. Unfamiliarity with the dangers of this new technology can lead to terrible results. The most notable example is the crash of a Tesla Model S in Autopilot mode on May 7, 2016 that resulted in the death of 40-year-old Joshua Brown. The car's sensors failed to detect a truck and semi-trailer crossing its lane; he attempted to drive under the trailer and the roof was torn off, killing Brown. The only explanation why Brown could have missed the 53-foot trailer is that he was testing the car's capabilities. He previously posted videos on his YouTube account showcasing Tesla's Autopilot features, including one titled "Autopilot Saves the Model S," in which sensors detected a side collision and automatically swerved to avoid it. It had incorporated these features, designed to be used only under certain conditions, into regular use. According to testimony, Brown had enough time to avoid the accident, but he showed no signs of slowing down and most likely thought the car would break down or he would maneuver to avoid the obstacle. What makes this event particularly terrible is that it was completely preventable and caused by man's overdependence rather than machine failure. This tragedy was a much-needed wake-up call to the general public, who greatly overestimate the capabilities of autonomous vehicles due to their portrayal as new technology in advertisements. In reality, complete self-automation may not be possible for decades, and current technology grapples with the extremely complex task of driving. Existing advertising and marketing laws simply need to expand to include self-driving cars and be more strictly defined so that companies cannot take advantage of ambiguous regulations to oversell their cars or present them in such a way that the person media who are not familiar with the technical jargon may be induced to buy a car without considering the possible risks. While companies may fear an impact on sales, this will not hinder the real priorities of technological research and development. The most important thing is safety, and it's vital that people understand that "autopilot" is a very misleading term these days. Unfortunately, in the case of this Tesla accident, valuable data that could have led to understanding how to improve the car's performance systems was lost. Although overall vehicle performance data was recorded, "the Tesla Model S.