The Unreliability of Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles have long been touted as the future of transportation, promising to revolutionize the way we move around. However, the recent incident involving Xiaomi’s SU7 electric vehicle (EV) has brought to light the harsh reality of autonomous vehicle failures. In reality, no autonomous vehicle has full autonomy; an alert human is required at all times.

This fact was noted in the report, which stated that the existing systems in mainland China all require a human driver to be at the car’s controls and alert at all times. This means that autonomous vehicles are not as self-sufficient as they seem, and their reliability is still a major concern.

The Limitations of Camera-Based Systems

The Xiaomi SU7, a basic edition of Xiaomi’s SU7 EV, relies on cameras to navigate its surroundings. However, cameras are seen as more likely to be fooled by shadows, rain, fog, and other factors. This is a significant limitation, as a smart EV that is fooled by these conditions should not be on the road.

• Shadows can obscure the view of the camera, making it difficult to detect objects.
• Rain and fog can reduce the camera’s ability to capture clear images.
• Other factors, such as lighting conditions and weather, can also affect the camera’s performance.

This highlights the need for more advanced sensors, such as lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors, which rely on laser beams to measure distances to objects. Lidar sensors are potentially more reliable than camera-based systems, but they also present their own set of challenges.

The Dangers of Laser Beams

Lidar sensors use laser beams to measure distances to objects. However, these beams can pose a significant risk to human eyes. If a driver’s eyes are caught in a laser beam, it can cause serious eye damage.

The report did not mention this danger, and it is surprising that lidar sensors are not considered a major concern in the development of autonomous vehicles.

The Need for Improved Safety Features

The recent incident involving Xiaomi’s SU7 EV has highlighted the need for improved safety features in autonomous vehicles. The fact that the car was traveling at 116km/h with the driver-assistance system engaged, and that the self-driving system alerted the driver to take over two seconds before the crash, is a stark reminder of the dangers of autonomous vehicles.

• The car was traveling at a high speed, which increases the risk of accidents.
• The self-driving system failed to alert the driver in time, resulting in a crash.
• The delay of two seconds is not enough time for a driver to react and avoid the crash.

It is essential that manufacturers prioritize safety features in their autonomous vehicles, such as improved sensors and more reliable systems. The public’s trust and confidence in autonomous vehicles are at stake, and it is crucial that they are developed with safety in mind.

Conclusion

The recent incident involving Xiaomi’s SU7 EV has brought to light the harsh reality of autonomous vehicle failures. While autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation, their unreliability is still a major concern. Manufacturers must prioritize safety features and develop more reliable systems to ensure the public’s trust and confidence in autonomous vehicles.