Most recently in the world of self-driving cars, Google has begun testing its prototype cars in Texas after having trouble being able to do so in California due to issues with regulation. Moreover, Tesla has automatically updated its ‘Model S’ cars, introducing an “autopilot” system that aims to increase safety on the road. Tesla explains the concept on its website:

“Tesla Autopilot relieves drivers of the most tedious and potentially dangerous aspects of road travel. We’re building Autopilot to give you more confidence behind the wheel, increase your safety on the road, and make highway driving more enjoyable… Tesla Autopilot functions like the systems that airplane pilots use when conditions are clear.”

A concern regarding Tesla’s autopilot development is that the cars were automatically updated remotely overnight, in the same way an iPhone is updated. Not enough is known about this to be sure about the reliability of the update, however no malfunctions or issues with the autopilot update have been reported. At the end of the day, if safety is in the value propositions of companies manufacturing autonomous vehicles, they must provide it.

An idealist point of view will show optimism towards safer roads and a feasible solution to impaired driving, while a realist perspective will question the reliability of autonomous cars to prevent accidents. A grand total of 11 car accidents have involved google cars, however the records claim that the accidents were not at the fault of the google cars. All of the accidents occurred with conventional vehicles. Although the statistics gathered by Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak of the Transportation Research Institute at the University of Michigan show higher crash and injury rates in autonomous vehicle prototypes over conventional vehicles, the injuries sustained in the crashes were minor. Furthermore, the self-driving google car is still being developed and having its creases ironed out in order to become a reliable, consistent, safety-guaranteeing vehicle.

References: Google Self-Driving Cars Hope for Faster Lane to Approval in Texas, Self-Driving Cars More Prone to Accidents, But It’s Not Their Fault, Your Autopilot has Arrived