US lawmaker calls on Tesla to suspend Autopilot feature
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Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) called on electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla to disable its Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system until it can introduce safeguards that prevent its improper use, according to Reuters. Markey, who sits on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, also brought the issue to the attention of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which said it would follow up with Tesla.
While Autopilot requires a driver to have their hands on the steering wheel and stay attentive while it's engaged — Telsa tracks whether users' hands are on the steering wheel via pressure sensors — users have found ingenious ways to trick the sensors. Bypassing the system enables drivers to freely engage in risky behavior, like napping at the wheel or going on their phones.
As pressure mounts on Tesla, other major automakers should take heed as they implement semi-autonomous driving technology in their cars. Cadillac debuted its semi-autonomous feature, called Super Cruise, and plans to implement the feature in all of its vehicles in 2020, while Japanese carmaker Nissan launched its ProPilot Assist feature in 2018 and plans to introduce an updated version in an upcoming sedan model. Additionally, Italian automaker Alfa Romeo will introduce a semi-autonomous driving system in its upcoming 2020 Stelvio crossover model.
To combat the misuse of semi-autonomous systems and the potential regulatory issues they create, automakers should embrace AI-equipped, in-car cameras. These cameras can visually gauge a driver's level of alertness using multiple data points to better prevent drivers from tricking in-car sensors.
For example, US automaker Cadillac has already implemented an in-car camera-based system for its semi-autonomous driving feature, which tracks head position to issue warnings if it believes a driver isn't alert — and if warnings go unheeded, the vehicle autonomously slows the car to a full stop. Distracted driving is a significant problem for self-driving vehicles, as those using a semi-autonomous driving system spend up to 80% of their time not watching the road, according to a study by the RAC Foundation.
Automakers looking to quickly implement similar features to head off potential misuse of their technology can look to work with startups in the smart camera space. One potential partner is Eyesight Technologies, which unveiled an updated in-vehicle camera this month targeted toward the trucking industry that can alert users to distracted driving.
If co-opted for passenger vehicles, Eyesight's solution could be well suited for automakers, enabling them to issue alerts for distracting activities, like texting or smoking, that could lead to accidents. Without an in-car camera system, automakers could leave themselves open to elongated investigations over incidents involving their self-driving systems, as they'd lack video proof that a driver was misusing the technology.
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