by Automatic Driver » Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:28 pm
It is unfortunate when an important and promising technology has setbacks for any reason.
It is even more unfortunately when people die or suffer as a result.
Self Driving cars are at a critical point, brought about, I think, by secrecy and competition between players that try to get there first for financial gain.
There’s nothing wrong with financial gain when it doesn’t hurt people, but the competition may actually delay such gains if approvals don’t come simply because the cars are not safe enough.
I think some government organization (or car manufacturers’ consortium) needs to establish a minimum standard of sensors’ number and type as well as processing capabilities (i.e. “Safety Equipment”) such that all approved vehicles have at least a common base that is proved to be of an acceptable safety level.
Just like all cars must have safety belts, lights and windshield wipers.
Let’s call it "SESAV" for Safety Equipment Standard for Autonomous Vehicles
Manufacturers could be compensated (royalties?) for any part they contribute to this standard and, of course, they can differentiate themselves with extras, above the standard.
However, anything that is deemed as important to meet said minimum safety standard needs to be “contributed” to the common standard.
Furthermore, such equipment needs to be designed and produced such that it can be:
1. Easily tested with standardized tools.
2. Easily upgraded when new capabilities become available and deemed essential.
It is unfortunate when an important and promising technology has setbacks for any reason.
It is even more unfortunately when people die or suffer as a result.
Self Driving cars are at a critical point, brought about, I think, by secrecy and competition between players that try to get there first for financial gain.
There’s nothing wrong with financial gain when it doesn’t hurt people, but the competition may actually delay such gains if approvals don’t come simply because the cars are not safe enough.
I think some government organization (or car manufacturers’ consortium) needs to establish a minimum standard of sensors’ number and type as well as processing capabilities (i.e. “Safety Equipment”) such that all approved vehicles have at least a common base that is proved to be of an acceptable safety level.
Just like all cars must have safety belts, lights and windshield wipers.
Let’s call it "[b]SESAV[/b]" for [b]S[/b]afety [b]E[/b]quipment [b]S[/b]tandard for [b]A[/b]utonomous [b]V[/b]ehicles
Manufacturers could be compensated (royalties?) for any part they contribute to this standard and, of course, they can differentiate themselves with extras, above the standard.
However, anything that is deemed as important to meet said minimum safety standard needs to be “contributed” to the common standard.
Furthermore, such equipment needs to be designed and produced such that it can be:
1. Easily tested with standardized tools.
2. Easily upgraded when new capabilities become available and deemed essential.