A Role for Robots in Automated Driving Systems

Bertram, Torsten · 2016 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/s38314-016-0086-7

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Summary

This commentary by Torsten Bertram addresses the critical oversight of human passengers in the development of automated driving systems. While global forces such as urbanization and connectivity drive the innovation of driverless vehicles, the current focus remains heavily skewed toward technical feasibility and hardware-software integration, often neglecting the complex interplay between autonomous systems and their human occupants. The author argues that safe transportation relies on continuous system transparency, which is currently lacking. Without this transparency, passengers cannot reliably predict or control the vehicle’s behavior, nor can the autopilot adequately account for passenger actions, creating a significant safety gap. The paper does not present empirical data or experimental results but rather offers a theoretical perspective on the future trajectory of autonomous mobility. Bertram posits that the initial adoption of automated vehicles will likely be driven by mature consumers with sufficient purchasing power who value the comfort and safety of automated mobility. However, he suggests that the demographic realities and the need for technical assistance in private environments point toward a different solution than fully autonomous cars. Drawing parallels between robotics and automated driving, the author proposes that robots, which are already being developed to navigate environments and assist humans, could play a pivotal role in this transition. The central finding is a conceptual argument for integrating robots into the driving ecosystem. Bertram suggests that robots could operate in the capacity of a chauffeur, providing "diverse redundancy" in the control of various vehicle functions. This approach addresses the lack of system transparency that hinders the progression from partial to full automation. By introducing a robotic intermediary, the system may bypass the need for incremental automation steps that currently fail to provide sufficient transparency for all participants. The robot acts as a bridge, ensuring that the necessary transparency and control mechanisms are in place for both the passenger and the vehicle systems. The significance of this commentary lies in its challenge to the prevailing timeline and form of autonomous vehicle adoption. Bertram concludes that cars will eventually become automated or autonomous, but likely later and in a different form than currently anticipated. The implication for the field is a shift in focus from purely technical automation to a hybrid model involving robotic assistance. This perspective urges researchers and lawmakers to consider the role of robotics in enhancing system transparency and safety, rather than pursuing full autonomy as the sole endpoint. The commentary directs future inquiry toward understanding how robotic systems can facilitate smoother integration of automation into human-centric environments, particularly for aging populations.

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Topics

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• driverless ads
• acceptance adoption
• automation
• automation surprise