Thread

Comma's hands-off driving tech under investigation after 2 fatal crashes

40 points · 33 comments · Brajeshwar

phoronixrly · 1790173764 · focus · HN ↗
This goes to show that any car, be it internal combustion, electric, manually operated or self-driving is still a car, and thus is still capable of inflicting death (among other negatives). The difference is still just in the frequency of deaths (and with self-driving this is still under debate).
1. password54321 · 1790174082 · focus · HN ↗
  >This goes to show that any car, be it internal combustion, electric, manually operated or self-driving is still a car, and thus is still capable of inflicting death (among other negatives).
  No shit.
  >The difference is still just in the frequency of deaths (and with self-driving this is still under debate).
  No, the difference is not just frequency. It is, what is the probability I would have made the same mistake. Some of these cases would very unlikely have happened by a (sober) person. Which demonstrates, that we are still dealing with incredibly jagged intelligence.
  1. JKCalhoun · 1790175108 · focus · HN ↗
    Regardless, self-driving software can't make mistakes. Not one.
    Saying that it's better than a human driver is not adequate. I think as a a society we (begrudgingly) make allowances for human error. There is zero solace for a death at the hands of an algorithm.
    Arodex · 1790175914 · focus · HN ↗
    You are wrong, self-driving software can make mistakes. It is the software companies coding it that refuse to shoulder the responsibility, because they still have no idea how reliable their tech is. Otherwise they would have the appropriate insurance, like any company that trades in any dangerous business. Aircraft manufacturers still make planes (with autopilot!) despite crashes, chemical manufacturers still deal with explosive and poisonous materials, etc... Only those software companies want to be fully held irresponsible of what happens. They are dishonest.
    jmiskovic · 1790176679 · focus · HN ↗
    Yes, they are dishonest and only loyal to stakeholders, that's capitalism 101. The other examples you mentioned are around for more time and they have safety regulations, inspections and fines. Another thing that changed is media landscape. Tesla can get caught of altering the logs in cases of autopilot crash and it just gets buried in news instead of being brought up and repeated over and over each time their stock is discussed.
    AlotOfReading · 1790179260 · focus · HN ↗
    Otherwise they would have the appropriate insurance, like any company that trades in any dangerous business.
    What is "appropriate insurance"?
    As far as I'm aware, virtually every state with an AV pilot program requires insurance (either commercial or self-insured, as typical for commercial vehicles) in order to be permitted. Several major markets (e.g. California) also require an additional bond to cover issues and have a gradual expansion process to better understand unknown risks.

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