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Laying a trap for self-driving cars

techcrunch.com

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Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#2
I suspect you'll see some real world versions of this sort of thing from truckers when self driving semis get some traction.

Truckers are very well organized, both officially via unions and informally via radio shows, newsletters, online forums, and the like.

Not that it will accomplish much, but it will be a lively transiton.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#3
I wonder if we'll eventually see a world where the former Uber drivers who are slowly being lulled into dependence fight back when their jobs are automated away. Autonomous vehicles could be an easy target in a lot of ways, especially when unoccupied. Slap some electrical tape on their sensors, chock their tires, or confuse them with clever tactics like this.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#4
post #3

I wonder if we'll eventually see a world where the former Uber drivers who are slowly being lulled into dependence fight back when their jobs are automated away. Autonomous vehicles could be an easy target in a lot of ways, especially when unoccupied. Slap some electrical tape on their sensors, chock their tires, or confuse them with clever tactics like this.

That would be as criminal as taxi drivers slashing Uber tires, or artisanal craftsmen burning down factories.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#5
> Of course, it’s just a regular car he drives into it for demonstration purposes.

Because a self-driving car wouldn't have any reason to drive into the circle, so it wouldn't get "caught".

The actual reason a regular car is used is because this is an "art installation" and not a serious critique of self-driving algorithms.

A more effective trap would be a "no entry" sign on a one-way street (or one side of a dual carriageway), positioned so the car can't see it before entering the street.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#6
post #2

I suspect you'll see some real world versions of this sort of thing from truckers when self driving semis get some traction. Truckers are very well organized, both officially via unions and informally via radio shows, newsletters, online forums, and the like. Not that it will accomplish much, but it will be a lively transiton.

Instead of putting truckers back on trucks, they will just put security on them, until it stops.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#7
post #3

I wonder if we'll eventually see a world where the former Uber drivers who are slowly being lulled into dependence fight back when their jobs are automated away. Autonomous vehicles could be an easy target in a lot of ways, especially when unoccupied. Slap some electrical tape on their sensors, chock their tires, or confuse them with clever tactics like this.

That would be as criminal as taxi drivers slashing Uber tires, or artisanal craftsmen burning down factories.

True. I'm not condoning, just questioning.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#9

> Of course, it’s just a regular car he drives into it for demonstration purposes. Because a self-driving car wouldn't have any reason to drive into the circle, so it wouldn't get "caught". The actual reason a regular car is used is because this is an "art installation" and not a serious critique of self-driving algorithms. A more effective trap would be a "no entry" sign on a one-way street (or one side of a dual ca…

Or just 2 to 3 people at a red light with the bags of salt.

Re: Laying a trap for self-driving cars

#10
post #3

I wonder if we'll eventually see a world where the former Uber drivers who are slowly being lulled into dependence fight back when their jobs are automated away. Autonomous vehicles could be an easy target in a lot of ways, especially when unoccupied. Slap some electrical tape on their sensors, chock their tires, or confuse them with clever tactics like this.

One time that sort of thing happened at scale was in the 19th century, when skilled textile workers destroyed the mechanized looms that were putting them out of work. Those people were the original Luddites.

The British government responded by making destroying mechanized looms a capital offense, and deploying the army against them.

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