Paul Clancy wrote:
A computers speed to determine what the object is and make a choice is far faster than a humans. Morality of that choice is in the programming (in other words software written by a human)- not the car computer hardware. There are people who would ram an oncoming car to avoid hitting a deer. Also those who would get drunk and mow down a child. In these cases probably better for society to let the computer intervene. I'm alright with that.
You are right in that a computer can make the choice much faster, but a computer lacks the ability for abstract thought. Could a camera pick up the difference between a raccoon and a toddler from 100 feet away at night traveling 50 mph? I doubt it, but virtually any human could. Or, when the computer sees a ball rolling across the road does it instantly expect a child to come after it? I could also see computers vapor-locking when approached by an emergency vehicle from behind, entering a construction zone or many other common scenarios. Speaking as one who has operated emergency vehicles for most of my adult life I'll admit that humans don't often do well in these situations either, but once you get a driver's attention and ask them to move to the right over the PA they generally will. Interesting discussion, and I believe we will see these questions addressed, for better or worse, in the coming years.
