Appl.AI Webinar #2: How safe are self-driving cars?

Watch Appl.AI Webinar #2: How safe are self-driving cars?

Panel discussion: 3 statements on the safety of self-driving cars

To this end, we set up a panel with AI researcher Jan-Pieter Paardekoper (TNO) and strategic advisor on autonomous driving Edwin Nas (RDW). During the webinar they shared their insight on 3 the below statements.

• Statement 1: 'We have already solved the technical issue with self-driving cars.'
• Statement 2: 'Without a moral compass, a self-driving car will get nowhere.'
• Statement 3: 'Hackers are lurking to disrupt self-driving cars.'
  
  

Statement 1: 'We have already solved the technical issue with self-driving cars.'

In addition to the largely mechanical technology that ensures that a car can accelerate, brake and steer, a self-driving car needs systems that ensure that the car can function autonomously. The basic technology behind the 'eyes' of an autonomous vehicle is explained in the video below.

Statement 2: 'Without a moral compass, a self-driving car will get nowhere.'

Where the driver of a car now manually applies the brakes to prevent an accident, a self-driving car will soon have to 'choose' for itself what the most appropriate response is to a possible emergency situation. The system does this based on the data available at that time, but in the system itself certain decision methods can be pre-programmed in advance. This can have major consequences for the ultimate response of the self-driving car. Especially so if an accident can no longer be prevented but a choice can still be made between which other road user(s) to involve.

The ethical dilemma in self-driving cars

Statement 3: 'Hackers are lurking to disrupt self-driving cars.'

Self-driving cars depend on a connection to 'the outside world' in order to navigate. Does this always-on connection automatically mean that a self-driving car is continuously vulnerable to hackers? Vulnerabilities have already been demonstrated in specific non-self-driving cars, according to the video below. In an isolated case, the risks may still be manageable, but what about if we will soon be surrounded by self-driving cars?

Why should I watch the replay of this webinar?

The logistics sector is of crucial importance to the Netherlands. Developments in this area are rapid and many parties are involved. Think of the automotive industry, government, transport and science. It is important to share knowledge with each other and to maintain a dialogue with each other, so that we can take constructive steps in the Netherlands towards a world with self-driving cars.