More and more modern cars are equipped with new safe and comfort technologies. Nowadays, it is possible to enter a car without a key, cars can recognize oncoming obstacles and stop. Moreover, we do not realize that the ease of use for modern cars is owed to thousands of information systems, and that creates problems we would never connect to motorization.
It is true that the mentioned systems make our lives easier and make using the cars safer. Due to the complexity of these systems and the fact that various components come from different companies, modern cars are one of the most complicated IT systems in the environment. While nuclear power plants’ code lines can be counted in hundreds, the lines in modern cars sum up to millions. Each of the modules is provided by a different producer that is why the possibility of verifying that the car is working correctly is diminishing.
The most common concern related to intelligent cars is the possibility of theft. The no-key systems allow not only the owner to get into the car, but also adequately equipped thief. Not so long ago an information on loopholes in Volkswagen key security systems came up. It is estimated that over a hundred million cars throughout the whole world are vulnerable to such intrusions.
Another concern is the fact that the producer can remotely control the functions of the car systems. In this case, it is possible that someone other than the producer can interfere in the systems. For example, with the right access one could turn off the communications on the board computer, so the driver will not recognize the coming threats. The criminal could also turn off airbags or use the brakes during the car’s movement. The possibilities growing in size. There is also a problem with autonomous cars, which can drive almost by themselves. The car producer Tesla had a situation where an error in the car’s software cause a few collisions, which has ended the promotion of Tesla S as a car that driver itself.
In conclusion, the information systems in modern cars come with great cost to the producers and a great risk to the consumers. In case of cars it is not possible to have a hundred percent assurance of safety. Furthermore, it appears that the more expensive a car is the greater the risk, because it has more technology implemented and it encourages the criminals more to break the security systems.
References:
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/67253/20150728/driverless-cars-safe.htm
http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/smart-cars-vulnerable-to-security-hacks-report-finds/a/d-id/1319031
It is true that intelligent cars will never be 100% safe, and that although it may erase some problems related to human-driven cars, new problems related to information systems will arise. But the key is to point out the compromises: Is the benefit-over-cost ratio of intelligent cars greater than the benefit-over-cost ratio of traditional cars? Today, this is still debatable. But the intelligent cars industry is still pretty young, and software engineering is still a young discipline. Car companies should incrementally integrate the smart functions on their cars, and take the time to analyse the impacts and problems that arise with the each new technologies through tests and experiments. I think most car companies do operate this way, and in the long-run, I believe intelligent cars will bring more benefit than harm.
“autonomous cars, which can drive almost by themselves.”
They are self driving already, only problem is legislation. https://www.tesla.com/nl_NL/videos/full-self-driving-hardware-all-teslas?redirect=no
” The car producer Tesla had a situation where an error in the car’s software cause a few collisions, which has ended the promotion of Tesla S as a car that driver itself.”
Tesla had a few situations in which the driver tried to blame the Autopilot for accidents they caused themselves. Tesla never promoted Autopilot as self driving abilities. It’s right now just a fancy term for lane assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic lane changing, and a collision avoidance system. You still need to keep your hands on the wheel.
Indeed the intelligent cars business is something pretty new in the market and the firms have to face a lot of challenges. The greatest threat for the industry as you mentioned in your post is car safety, from theft to collision and system intervention. I recenlty came up with an article about the owner of Tesla Motors who just announced that by 2017 all new cars produced will be equipped with Level 5 Autopilot program, “the highest level, under which the driver is no longer a driver, but rather a passive passenger being conveyed from point A to point B by a car that does everything”. This technology will be combined with a computer 40times more powerful than the existing one, connected to a neutral network, and a car software including all the rules of the road struggling to become a better driver that a human being. It is clear that companies are aware of theweak spots and are spending time and money to make the cars safer and better on the road.
I think with many developments we have present day it is crucial to consider the risks. The more reliant we become on technology, the more we must think of the risks as we are losing control over our lives and handing this to technologies. In just 100 years’ time we have transformed from horse drawn carriages to self-driving automobiles. We have proven as a society to easily adapt to new technologies, however this often takes thousands of tries and learning moments before it is successful.
Regarding self-driven cars, the segmented development, all different producers, makes it difficult to ensure transparency for not only the end consumers but also amongst all of the automobile producers. This may be one of the key reasons why there have been so many challenges regarding this product, namely maintenance and as mentioned in your blog, hacking.
Tesla is regarded as one of the most technologically advanced automobiles. However, recently they have had many scandals regarding their Model S’s catching on fire. After an exhaustive investigation they found that these explosions were due to short circuits inside the electrical distribution box and that software upgrades were required (Hanley, 2017). Many Model S Tesla’s experienced these fires when they were charging, however there could have been much more damage done if people were in the car. Therefore, such upgrades must be tracked very precariously. These cars must have more maintenance in order to ensure such catastrophes do not occur. Much of the maintenance is new for automotive is regarding foreseeing challenges.
As you have mentioned in the blog, theft is also an extreme threat. You have mentioned the use of keys and how the no-key systems allow users to get into the car. This is one of the main security threats, but there is also a sever threat of these high-tech cars being hacked when people are driving. There is an increasing number of technology being put into the cars, which only provides more points of entry for hackers. In theory a hacker could access a vehicles computer system and control its movement via the comfort of their own home. (Preston, 2017) However, I think that such hacks will soon easily be preventable. As the product is still relatively new, society on the whole is learning from the occurring challenges. Furthermore, Preston (2017) proves an interesting point, that people have time and time again proven to be dangerous drivers, so what might be the greatest risk of a hacker?
Although the world of self-controlled technologies sounds very structured, there are many threats and limitations which must be considered. Personally, as a driver, I prefer to be in control, I prefer the experience. What will we do in 10 years when all cars are self driven? Will we even need to have driver’s licenses? Will there be an age limit? What will be the laws of driving under the influence if you are not actually driving? There are many topics to be considered regarding such self-driving automobiles which will alter our society on the whole.
References:
Hanley, S. (2017). Tesla Identifies Cause for Model S Fire in Norway. [online] TESLARATI.com. Available at: http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-short-circuit-cause-for-model-s-norway-fire/ [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
Preston, B. (2017). Rise of the robocar: are connected cars safer, or a target for hackers?. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/13/robot-connected-cars-hacking-risks-driverless-vehicles-ross-now [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].