Emblematic
Member
- Joined
- 14 Aug 2013
- Messages
- 659
I know that, and I fully expect we will see more and more systems like Tesla's Autopilot over the next few years. However, at some point even the easy task will be more than the automation can handle - it could be something as simple as water getting into a connector causing the sensors to drop out.
The point I was making is that, if that were to happen, a remote operator in a contact centre somewhere in the world isn't going to be much use to me when I'm heading towards a bridge abutment at 70mph (or, for that matter, if the failure is in the HGV that's behind me and my car has to brake rapidly).
I think, in the early iterations, this will be the failure mode - stop the vehicle, driver takes control. Over time, as the failures get rarer, the need for a driver will be eliminated - the remaining occupant, be they passenger, goods handler or whatever - will most likely have a guided process to reset the system, and if the failure persists, follow prompts to enable a degraded, 'limp home' mode. If all else fails, you stay put and call for an engineer - not really so different from today's vehicles.