Qualcomm announced today that it was acquiring NXP Semiconductor for $38 billion ... based upon its expectations of the growth of autonomous car technology. And many other companies are crowding into this end-user field, Tesla, Google, Bosch, etc. The expectations for the future of driverless cars, trucks, buses are dramatic and, I think, frothy. I have outlined my Luddite concerns in the past ... see: More on Driverless Cars, Google Strudle and Boiloing the Ocean.
I, personally, am not ready anytime soon to surrender my steering wheel and control pedals for many reasons. I have thought some more on this issue and have come up with a few more possibly serious wrinkles for the AI algorithms controlling driverless cars to deal with. Here are just a few more:
- Hand or spoken directions from flag men, crossing guards or policemen during various street or road restrictions
- What about drive-thru fast food and car washes .. or service stations?
- Any noises requiring a driver response -- honking horns, screeching tires, shouts, sirens, etc.
- Traffic merging situation where the gestures of the other driver(s) determine your actions
- Maneuvering around or through live traffic accident situations
- Dealing with car chase situations ... of which every one will be unique
- Driving between countries were the rules of the road and signage are different
- Dealing with extremely aggressive other drivers who might be performing foolish or hostile actions
- Anticipating the possible rash actions of children, mentally-ill people, motorcycles, protesters, etc.
- Dealing with weather extremes -- black ice, pea-soup fog, very high winds, floods, etc.
- Driving adjustments necessary for unique events -- funerals, road races, "walks for ...", etc.
There are likely many more. Thus, I think I'll be the last in line for this technology.
