Can Automakers Engineer a Crashless Car?

We have cars that can park themselves and automakers are working feverishly to put cars into production that can be operated without a driver. In line with that, automakers and consumer advocates are imagining the possibility of a really safe car—one that would sense an impending crash and take evasive action. How realistic is that vision?

Many who believe a crashless car attainable believe that such a vehicle will be driverless—essentially operated by a robot. Proponents argue that robots are not susceptible to many of the foibles of humans. They won’t be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They won’t take their eyes off the road to send or receive a text message or to adjust the stereo. They won’t engage in road rage.

But a fully computerized model of automotive safety is not without significant concerns. After all, computers can be hacked, get viruses, break down and require power to operate. Could a driverless vehicle become a weapon of mass destruction in the hands of a skilled hacker? What happens if the safety computer crashes? Critics point to massive auto recalls over the last few years, many tied directly to computer glitches or malfunctions.

Critics also express concern about the loss of privacy when computers operate cars. If all data to determine where you go must be entered into a computer, it has the potential to be permanently stored and accessed by others.

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