Technological computational ability has been exponentially doubling itself since the 60s. Today, it has reached the point where self-driving vehicles exist. Beyond these vehicles a whole network of technology exists to support self-driving cars.
Satellite technology is necessary for signals to be buffered and interpreted. Tracking technology and computation is integral in all modern vehicles.
With self-driving cars this is expanded in a way that may be described as exponential in comparison to previous vehicular computation.
Basically, vehicles that drive themselves have an onboard computer that’s highly sophisticated and manages numerous sensors which help determine where the car should be on the road.
Self-driving cars are yet to be deemed fully trustworthy as there has been accidents, but surprisingly this isn’t the self-driving car’s primary risk.
The internet of things
Everything today is getting networked via the “Internet of Things” or IoT. Smartphones, computers, tablets, LED lighting in your home, air-conditioning, smartwatches and your car; all will be part of the IoT.
This means they all have remote access possibility and software interfaces. This also means they can be hacked, and we’re not talking the “good” kind of life hack – imagine the scenario if your car is hacked to kidnap you.
To avoid hacking and properly providing coverage for a network of vehicles automatically transporting people from location to location, remote control functionality needs to be fundamental in self-driving cars.
In a possible situation where something impacts the control of a vehicle, the IoT will send a signal to a remote safety office where employees are standing by to take the wheel and avoid an accident.
Automated driving technology – pros and cons
Statistically, this could represent a reasonable means of bridging the technological gap. This could possibly mean your vehicle is no longer your own.
Imagine if you’re rushing off to work and your car refuses to start. It proceeds to say you have missed too many car loan instalments before driving itself back to the dealership.
An increase in automated driving technology naturally yields to a lessening of personal control while increasing the network’s control.
Today, edge computing already uses IoT devices on a company’s premises to “float” an “edge network”.
Cloud computing network servers come together to spread out the strain of computing. Edge networks do the same, but with more than servers.
If millions of vehicles become automatically enabled, you can be sure an edge/cloud hybrid will network their computers together for means of safety and control. Travel could be remotely planned and even restricted in the future.
You may like having that kind of networked control providing a safety net for your driving. Or you may prefer not to have your autonomy taken away by a computer you can’t control, which is susceptible to hacking and glitches.
We may have different opinions on this revolutionary development, but the key issue is to look at all angles and make an informed decision.
There are online driving guides with in-depth driving-related resources and information on future incoming technology.
Fancy calling for a ride-sharing car driven by a robot? You can in places like Massachusetts, Texas, and Singapore.
At the forefront of self-driving technology is companies like Alphabet (Google) through self-driving car project Waymo, auto manufacturer General Motors, NVIDIA self-driving cars technology, Magna which supplies auto parts and sensors, and Aptiv which develops advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
This article first appeared in https://mypf.my
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