Autonomous Cars

1
Autonomous Cars

• Use laser, radar, lidar, GPS, cameras and other
  sensors to drive autonomously(1)
• Significant, but diminishing legal hurdles(2)
• Major corporate interests include Google, Nissan,
  and Volkswagen (3)
• 1. Chuck Squatriglia (2008-07-01). "GM Says
  Driverless Cars Could Be on the Road by 2018".
  Wired.
• 2 .Tim Healey (2011-06-24). "Nevada Passes Law
  Allowing Self-Driving Cars". Motor Trend.
  Retrieved 2011-06-25.
• 3. McCue, Andy (2006-01-26). "RFID-tagged
  driverless cars on roads by 2056". Silicon.com.
  Retrieved 2011-11-20.

2
8-Step Ethical Decision Analysis

• 1. The issue is whether autonomous cars should be
  allowed on public roads.
• 2. The interested parties are the corporations
  developing technology who would like to see it
  used profitably, consumers who would like to see
  a safe implementation, and governments who would
  like to have a controlled and regulated
  implementation if any.
• 3
• a) Unregulated usage of automation. This freedom
  could allow for a booming market in the best
  case, but could result in unsafe roads and
  unsatisfactory liability for accidents. This
  worst case is not acceptable.

3
8-Step Ethical Decision Analysis

• b). Autonomous car technology is banned
  altogether. In the best case, this would protect
  people from a potentially dangerous technology,
  and in its worst case it would stifle a
  potentially useful new technology and the safety
  it could bring. This is acceptable but not
  ideal.
• c). In a compromise, autonomous driving
  technology could be developed in a tightly
  monitored and regulated manner. In the best case
  this would allow autonomous cars to be developed
  safely, and in the worst case could potentially
  allow dangerous autonomous cars on the road.
  This compromise is acceptable.

4
8-Step Ethical Decision Analysis

• 4).
• a) I would be willing for everyone to be
  permitted to use this solution because it would
  allow developers freedom to explore new
  technology while protecting consumers from
  potential danger
• b) This solution does treat people as ends rather
  than just means
• 5).
• a) This solution is in accord with what is
  natural because it allows for exploration while
  protecting bystanders
• b) This solution is balanced between excess and
  deficiency

5
8-Step Ethical Decision Analysis

• 6)
• a) There would be a majority agreement that this
  is the most efficient means to the end, because
  it protects everyone's interests
• b). This will produce the greatest good by
  protecting citizens while allowing corporations
  to invest in and develop new technology
• 7)
• a) I do feel committed to this solution in my own
  conscience
• b) I chose this solution free of influence from
  others

6
8-Step Ethical Decision Analysis

• 8) The solution is primarily a pragmatic one
  because it uses a compromise to produce a
  feasible solution to provide the greatest good to
  the greatest number of people.

7
Application of ACM Code of Ethics

• Abridged application of code
• Important sections to this issue
• 1.1) Contributes to society by improving road
  safety
• 1.2) Avoids harm to others with strict regulation
  and safety controls
• 1.3/4) Needs to keep data private to maintain
  ethical position