Audi debunks common misconceptions about autonomous vehicles

MANILA: The &Audi study "SocAIty," which was put together with the support of distinguished experts, looks into the reality of self-driving cars in the future and how people's attitudes will have to change in order for autonomous vehicles to gain widespread acceptance. It also dispels these common myths about the autonomous driving:

Myth No. 1: Self-driving cars will just be the same as normal vehicles, but without the driver.

Aerodynamics, in particular, is a major factor in determining the range of electric vehicles, which is why they serve a significant role in design. In this aspect, the appearance of vehicles and other modes of transportation will not alter dramatically as automation develops, but one thing is certain: in the future, design will be focused on the interior. Passengers' comfort will be prioritized, which is why, in some situations, seats will not be required to face the direction of travel. This interior design freedom will provide passengers with a wide range of individually personalized experiences, such as communication or leisure, work or retreat. Everything that is no longer needed – the pedals, gearbox, and steering wheel – will be temporarily retracted, maximizing cabin space.

In a statement, Audi Board for Technical Development Member Oliver Hoffmann said, “Digitalization allows us to make mobility even safer, more personal, and especially smarter. The goal is for our vehicles to seamlessly integrate into our customer’s everyday lives. We’re thus creating a true added value — by giving them back time for things that are important to them.”

Myth No. 2: Autonomous cars will be able to go anywhere once the software is developed and released.

To get self-driving cars on the road, software that is completely reliable and safe not only for the car but for the entire environment will be required. This will gradually alter the appearance of cities: as a result, infrastructure must be updated to integrate intelligent traffic lights and road sensors. Cities will become more digital, allowing for an increase in the number of automated vehicles. In the best-case scenario, this will make cities safer and more relaxed, with traffic flowing without interruption or congestion.

“This isn’t a case of revolution, but rather evolution. Step by step in a direction that’s already becoming clear,” SocAIty expert Eric Hilgendorf stated.

Myth No. 3: Autonomous cars will make driving less enjoyable.

This myth is a clear source of worry for car enthusiasts: being relegated to the role of inactive passenger. Some people worry that their car will hinder them from traveling and enjoying the sensation of their foot on the gas pedal and their hands on the wheel. Self-driving cars will not put an end to the fun humans have behind the wheel. If customers wish to drive their own car, no manufacturer will hinder them from doing so. Car owners will continue to have the option of driving the vehicle themselves or relinquishing control to the car in unpleasant situations such as highway stop-and-go traffic. As SocAIty expert Torsten Gollewski said, “We need to move people but not cars.”

Myth No. 4: Self-driving cars constitute risks of hacking.

Self-driving cars will be just as susceptible as normal cars. However, a hacking attack on a self-driving car's safety systems might have far more devastating consequences. As a result, automakers are continually developing and enhancing security systems against cyberattacks, both inside the car and at the back end. As vehicles become more connected to their surroundings, the effort needed to provide dependable and always up-to-date cyber security grows. At the same time, automated vehicles will improve road safety, as well as efficiency and comfort, which will benefit society as a whole.

“The industry is really taking this seriously now, but it’s important for them to incorporate security from the initial design phase all the way through the process and through all aspects of the business,” SocAIty expert Sam Abuelsamid said.

Myth No. 5: Self-driving cars will demand fewer parking spaces.

Self-driving cars will not require any reduction in parking space. They will, however, make far better use of it. Furthermore, if an increasing number of cars are used through sharing models, vehicle density in urban areas may decrease. According to the German Environment Agency, private cars are now driven for an average of only one hour every day.

Myth No. 6: Although the technology is developed, autonomous driving laws are still insufficient.

German legislators have established a regulatory framework early on that prioritizes safety in the development and implementation of self-driving technologies. Germany is even considered a pioneer in this regard by international standards. Since 2017, autonomous driving systems have been allowed, under certain conditions, to take over tasks that were traditionally the sole duty of humans. A legislative framework was formed in June 2021 that allows Level 4 and higher autonomous vehicles to travel regularly in public traffic, but only within specific zones (e.g. A-to-B shuttle traffic and "people mover" buses on designated routes). This rule is a first step toward a more thorough regulatory framework, which is now under development. The officials enforcing the rules are not impeding progress. They are merely adhering to the legal principle that safety comes first.

“German legislators are leading the field worldwide when it comes to regulating automated driving functions, thereby setting out an initial legal framework for manufacturers to develop these technologies,” Audi AG General Counsel Legal Services Head Uta Klawitter said.

Myth No. 7: Autonomous vehicles may be forced to make life-or-death decisions under extreme circumstances.

In regard to autonomous driving, the determining factor from the current perspective is that it is the humans who program the vehicle, not the car itself, who make the decision. Only what the software specifies can be reflected by the vehicle. As all prior study has shown, cars are far less prone to human error than humans are — for instance, due to their resistance to fatigue even on long rides.

Many people are concerned about whether a machine can make the best decision in a dangerous scenario. This is not the first time this question has come up. Indeed, as the "trolley problem" illustrates, it has been a topic of ethical debate for decades. This thought experiment asks everyone to think of a situation in which one person could redirect a speeding trolley onto a side track where one person is unmoving, sparing the lives of five people caught on the original track. It asks whether the scenario is a criminal act — should the person rather not act at all, or did the person deliberate correctly and act to mitigate the greatest possible harm?

With the introduction of autonomous driving, this topic has resurfaced. However, according to the study, the central point of the dispute is that a self-driving car would not make its own decision in a dangerous situation, but would instead reflect the software decisions made by its developers. It can and will only presume the ethical decisions and values of those who develop it — and execute them without its own interpretation.

“We have to move on from the more theoretical dilemma situation to address the actual problems that affect companies, such as issues of liability and risk assessment,” SocAIty expert Christoph Lutge said.

Myth No. 8: Self-driving cars will be so expensive as a technology that only few people will be able to purchase them.

The development of self-driving cars is a costly enterprise. Of course, this has an influence on product costs in the short run. However, prices will decline again in the long run, once they are ready for series production and the development costs have been amortized. Furthermore, the anticipated improvement in road safety will considerably limit the damage caused by a self-driving car. This will certainly decrease repair and insurance expenses even more. Another key consideration is the anticipated shift in mobility usage. In urban areas, some autonomous vehicles will be owned by mobility providers rather than people. Alternatively, they will be shared by a group of individuals using sharing concepts. This, too, improves usage efficiency and lowers expenses.

SocAIty expert Pete Bigelow said, “I think that there will be more options in the future. It will be more fractured than it is today and obviously, there is more variety of modes available that are kind of just coming to the fore.”

Photos from Audi

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