AI Cars’ Emergency Light Blindness: Flashy Tech, Not So Flashy Results
Automated driving systems promise safer roads by letting machines handle crash prevention. However, new research warns that emergency lights can confuse these systems, leading to a “digital epileptic seizure.” This mishap may cause automated cars to misinterpret the vehicle in front, potentially leading to accidents.
Hot Take:
When it comes to automated driving, it seems flashing lights can turn your car into a deer caught in headlights… or should I say, a Tesla caught in a metaphoric seizure? Who knew emergency vehicles could have a side gig as driving system hypnotists?
Key Points:
- Flashing emergency lights can confuse camera-based automated driving systems.
- The phenomenon is nicknamed a “digital epileptic seizure” or “epilepticar.”
- Research involved off-the-shelf dashcams, not specific systems like Tesla’s Autopilot.
- Automated systems might react unpredictably, either over-sensitive or oblivious.
- A software fix, “Caracetamol,” aims to combat the issue by training systems to recognize flashing lights.
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