Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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A few articles I have read recently suggest that we are 99% of the way towards cars that drive themselves without drivers. It appears though that that last 1% is the most troublesome to resolve! This of course has been tackled by companies like Google, now known as Alphabet, who has Waymo as well as, obviously, Tesla.
The problems that they have struggled with include pedestrians, bicycle riders and construction work and construction teams. It appears the computers really struggle to pick these up – with potentially disastrous results. It may well take a few more years before this can be resolved.
Ultimately of course we are going to hear of deaths caused by autopilot errors – but what will the death toll be compared to human drivers? We demand much higher standards of the machines than humans currently exhibit on the roads!
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 15-Sep-21
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Comments
Sune said:
on Wednesday 17-Nov-21 04:40 PM
We are living in very exciting times! However, I don't think it is something that I would ever consider.
Masilo Patrick Sedutla said:
on Friday 29-Oct-21 03:46 PM
This has potential to slow down sales of seld driving cars. I imagine the amount of litigation that will happen as a result of accidents caused by the cars. Am sure Tesla and the likes will work very hard to make sure that this kind of accidents dont happen.
Brenda Strydom said:
on Thursday 28-Oct-21 04:49 PM
I would not like a car like this but because the roads we have in South Africa I don't thing this car will work here.
Ruby said:
on Friday 08-Oct-21 09:55 AM
All roads designed today will probably have to be designed with autonomous vehicle in mind.
thembi said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 04:46 PM
I don't think is a good idea to buy that car while you stay in SA. We have the crazy Taxi drivers they just stop anytime the robots are closed or open is the same thing to them they just go.
Shalane said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 04:28 PM
I don't think I would feel very safe in an automated car especially in South where we have taxi drivers who stop anywhere they feel like stopping at anytime. I would prefer to be in control of my car.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 12:40 PM
I don't know if I will ever trust a fully automated car. I wouldn't feel safe just sitting in one.
Dune said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 12:19 PM
The time of artificial intelligence, I don't think it is something that i would feel safe in whatsoever. I need to have control of my surroundings. Taxi's swerving, pedestrians running across the road, potholes, would there be a spesific make that will suite the roads in SA?
Marisce said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 12:13 PM
We demand much higher standards of the machines than humans currently exhibit on the roads! Couldn’t have said this better, let’s wait patiently until this is used in mass public transport.
Kayla said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:15 AM
This has been something that they have been wanting to bring in for years. There will be tests and fails until they perfect it. However, I love driving, so the automated vehicle taking away the opportunity to be in control of your car is not something I would fancy. However, everyone's views and opinions are different and people fancy different things. Will have to see when they bring it into a reality that is safe.
Bronwyn said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:14 AM
as good as this sounds, i would like to know the reaction time for this,a taxi swerves infront of you unexpected and you can either swerve out the way on step on breaks what would a self driving car do in this situation?
Daniella said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:09 AM
The real problem in SA would be taxi drivers- if they could be supplied self driving mini buses sign me up - if not I definitely wouldn't get one in SA.
Sandra said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:03 AM
I do not think a car that can drive is self is a safe thing. The vehicle can run into mechanical problems and when that happens how do you counteract that measure? However, technology is becoming more and more suprising.
Sarah said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 10:57 AM
I would not like a car like this, I like to be in control. I get freaked out so quickly when someone else is driving, I won't be relaxed at all in the car.
Sinead said:
on Wednesday 06-Oct-21 03:31 PM
Of course the above will be an issue.
In a place like South Africa with all the ongoing roadworks and potholes, how will a "machine" unfamiliar with our conditions be able to detect such obstructions?
In my opinion, the roads in SA will have to be sorted out before we can even think of bringing this sort of technology here.
Cyclists aren't as bad as the motorcylists these days! Those little Uber guys are so careless on the roads, it's unbelievable. I'm sure that's easier for these self-driving vehicles to detect though.
Melissa said:
on Wednesday 06-Oct-21 03:08 PM
I certainly won't love a car that drives itself, I like to be in control of my car when I'm driving in that way I feel like I can prevent so much on the roads eg accidents, hijacking, etc
My decision would be to trust myself rather behind the steering wheel. I don't see how soon they will be able to deal with the aspects of pedestrians, cyclists, constructions and even pot holes on the roads. Even if the car has all the sensors needed, obviously just like all electronics, they are temporary. I am actually concerned about the human race and how much more lazier they are getting.
Brenda Strydom said:
on Wednesday 29-Sep-21 12:24 PM
This is very interesting and it would be nice to have a car like this. But is will not work on our roads and with the crime we have in South Africa.
Chante said:
on Tuesday 28-Sep-21 09:22 AM
It would be a luxury to have cars which do not require a driver. It is interesting that GPS apps like 'Waze' can detect road works, potholes and roadblocks. If they could use those types of factors it might assist in having the car detect those types of things.
Zandelee said:
on Monday 27-Sep-21 09:30 AM
Elon Must admitted that he underestimated how difficult it is to develop a safe and reliable self-driving car. There was a video recently of a tesla Model 3 in Autopilot utterly failing to take a sharp turn and crashing into a ditch which was quite scary.
Roxanne Rautenbach said:
on Tuesday 21-Sep-21 04:59 PM
I would really love a car that could drive itself as a non driver, it would be nice to have a car drive me around instead of hearing my husband complain about everything.
Henrietta said:
on Monday 20-Sep-21 07:55 AM
I definitely wouldn't mind a car driving me. And I'm sure they will do all checks necessary and fix the problems to make this a safe drive before going ahead and make it available, just imagine all the lawsuits. And I feel like there will be a lot less death compare to humans.. But I have to agree with Clare.... A flying car... now that is the dream
Lucretia said:
on Friday 17-Sep-21 04:05 PM
The thought of being able to sit back and relax and let someone else do the driving really appeals to me. The only time I really love driving, no matter the distance, is when I am going on a holiday. With the traffic picking up the way it has been over the last few months makes me feel guilty about loving Covid. Was the only time our roads were pleasant to drive on.
lauren said:
on Friday 17-Sep-21 07:57 AM
I am uncertain about whether I would completely trust an autonomous vehicle especially on South African roads with all the potholes but we should move with times and we cannot disregard it completely I suppose.
Helen said:
on Thursday 16-Sep-21 10:33 AM
This is very interesting read and I would consider owing one of those autonomous vehicles. As soon as all the problems resolved and car is fully functional to go on the road, there will be a lot less reckless driving and accidents.
I see our government is very happy to welcome this new technology in South Africa, the department of transport becomes more supportive of these beneficial technologies that will ultimately improve efficiencies in the transport space.
Victoria Dougans said:
on Thursday 16-Sep-21 08:33 AM
It is very worrying to read that it cannot pick up certain things on the road. I think if you are creating a car that can driver itself you need to know that it is completely safe to be in and to be around, whereas people driving cars when they in control so many accidents happen that result in death.
Casandra said:
on Thursday 16-Sep-21 08:07 AM
I don't think it would be the best idea to place self-driving vehicles on South African roads, especially with the crazy drivers out there that cause horrible accidents. This doesn't seem very safe to me at all
Dasanya Naicker said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 05:24 PM
This is an interesting read and I definitely think that more research needs to be conducted in order to ensure safety with the self-driving cars. I don't think that I would feel comfortable traveling in a car that drives itself. I agree with the comments below that this would definitely not be practical in South Africa
Ziyanda said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 02:04 PM
I agree with David...self-driving cars are not practical and would definitely not work in South Africa.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 12:50 PM
Great in theory but I don't think its necessary, another way to make people lazy... I don't think it will be a safe means of travel in SA. Here's hoping the government don't get distracted by this "shiny new offering" and actually focused on making public transport safer, more accessible to everyone and stop exempting taxis/drivers.
Claudia B said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 12:45 PM
I don't believe that this will work in South Africa, our roads are not good at all and with the taxi drivers, that will definitely not work.
fikile said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 11:34 AM
I don't this will work in South Africa because we have crazy taxi drivers, who always cause accidents and to be blunt I don't think I will get in a car that drivers it's self.
Bianca Niemann said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 08:55 AM
I am not sure how long it would take me personally to feel comfortable with my car driving itself to be honest. I would have issues.
Clare said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 08:51 AM
This is something that I am not sure that I am into, I would rather be in control of my car, then be in a car that is driving itself. Wouldn't want the bad guys would do with hacking a car and then boom off you go with your car that drives itself.. Noooo sorry not for me. But I must say if they can build a flying car that would be beautiful..
david said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 07:28 AM
pretty soon driving cars will be like riding horses.
an entertaining pursuit for the rich, with little practicality or use in the real world.
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 07:23 AM
It does not surprise me that this is the obstacle that still needs to be resolved. Though, the problem with a car like this coming to South Africa, is that our roads are unpredictable in any event. Taxis, other drivers, pedestrians etc
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
