Autonomous Cars, Yes or No?

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Really? Look up the definition of autonomous.

Autonomous: having the freedom to act independently (Oxford Dictionaries)

Note the word 'freedom' in there? Autonomous doesn't mean a compulsion to act independently, but simply the ability to do so. In the context of computer controlled cars, all that means is a car that is capable of driving itself. It does not mean a totally self-contained machine that is incapable of any external intervention, as you seem to be suggesting.

How do you suppose these cars will receive software updates, report faults, get information on road changes, traffic situations, etc? It can only be done via a capability to download information - and as soon as you give it the capability to download stuff, then potentially you let the hackers in too.

It's already been proven in the US, where a hacker (a young teenager I seem to remember, so imagine what an experienced hacker could achieve) demonstrated he could circumvent the systems on the latest GM vehicles and take partial control, allowing him to start engines, lock and unlock the doors and remotely operate other systems within the car.