How does it feel to enter a world where software is killing people ?
Driven a new car lately ?
Driven a new car lately ?
People are going to die, and that sucks. The hope is that we can use software to lower the death rate.
In this case: How did they have a system that can override the pilot without A) Clearly identifying why it's overriding the pilot and B) allowing the pilot to quickly disable it if they wish.
This could have been different, even ignoring how the MCAS didn't detect the strange readings.
* MCAS detects dangerous angles, beeps and has a clear light to alert the pilot to the situation * Pilot understands there is no danger in stalling, disables MCAS * They can now ground the flight or continue to their destination without the plan sending them to the floor.
Although based off what I've read about MCAS it only exists to fix a fundamental design flaw with how the 747 is certified, which is obviously an issue on it's own.
How is this new? Software has been killing people for a long time.
... I avoided running over that child I couldn't see in my rear-view because the infrared sensors picked him up as a mobile object intersecting my path and the backup warning screamed at me. I like not killing people, so I call that a win.
I am all for the sensors to give me information but when the systems take over control I am not a fan.
Cyclists in the EU have learned that the car sensors will slam on the brakes. Quite irritating when the car slams on the brakes and they are laughing at you.
The lane assist can be disabled and a cyclist who hard-brakes in front of me is taking their life in their hands because my Ford only stops if I touch the brake (it just stops as hard as it needs to to minimize risk of impact, regardless of how soft I push the pedal).
(Sidebar: I almost feel like that cyclist game is something that should be solved with more sensors. If it's a common issue, you really want a dash cam to capture their image and report them to police, as inentionally hard-braking to trigger a car safety system is clearly endangering their lives and the lives of the car occupants, since the auto-brake is designed with a bias towards injuring occupants over killing anyone).
Audi presense is nice, lane assist is nice, adaptive cruise control is nice etc etc but when its not nice it gives you whiplash or heart attacks
And that ever pervasive feeling that you know somwehere is a bug in that code which could yank your steering wheel sideways or slam on the brakes randomly
The car's only other option is to hit the cyclist, so as far as I'm concerned it's doing it job correctly. Like you mention a dashcam is likely the only remedy here. Thankfully they're cheap and pretty common...
When I'm on a bicycle I try to avoid cars as much as possible (by being in a lane for bikes, or on the sidewalk) but sometimes we have to share the road. Then I'd rather ride opposite to traffic because at least I see the cars incoming and can avoid them.
When backing out the bikes can be 50 ft away coming fast and the car senses they will be close so it slams on the brakes way before anyone is in danger.
Coffee spills etc
So we need more software to solve problems created by software being exploited by people.
I have a much simpler solution that doesn't involve taking away from someone's agency.
A)look both ways before crossing
B) Don't drive the piece of equipment distracted.
The more sensors we put on cars, the more we lay the foundations for technologies that can handle will be used in tyrannical ways. No thanks.