This issue has been explored previously, and with a better example of the trolley problem that centers the ethical dilemma entirely on the autopilot.
I do agree that in most situations, the driver retains full control over the vehicle, and therefore remains fully responsible, even if there’s a case to be made that the autopilot neglected the safety of others outside the car.
However, I’d also argue that this example leaves a possibility where fault cannot be assigned to them: If the driver became aware of the hazards at a reasonable time (i.e. spotting the pedestrians just around a sharp bend, rather than 200m down a straightaway), and made every reasonable effort to stop within that time but could not. There are limits to the driver’s responsibility, but the most interesting cases are crashes that the autopilot is capable of preventing (even if the driver reasonably cannot), but fails to do so.
Given the amount of distance between that car and the crosswalk, and the fact that it’s a crosswalk meaning the car is not going to be traveling at freeway speeds. I would hazard a third option and say maybe just kind of lightly press on the brakes? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
This issue has been explored previously, and with a better example of the trolley problem that centers the ethical dilemma entirely on the autopilot.
I do agree that in most situations, the driver retains full control over the vehicle, and therefore remains fully responsible, even if there’s a case to be made that the autopilot neglected the safety of others outside the car.
However, I’d also argue that this example leaves a possibility where fault cannot be assigned to them: If the driver became aware of the hazards at a reasonable time (i.e. spotting the pedestrians just around a sharp bend, rather than 200m down a straightaway), and made every reasonable effort to stop within that time but could not. There are limits to the driver’s responsibility, but the most interesting cases are crashes that the autopilot is capable of preventing (even if the driver reasonably cannot), but fails to do so.
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Given the amount of distance between that car and the crosswalk, and the fact that it’s a crosswalk meaning the car is not going to be traveling at freeway speeds. I would hazard a third option and say maybe just kind of lightly press on the brakes? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
What if the brakes were malfunctioning.
Then the car could just turn to the closest side and grind on the barrier to stop itself ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
Additionally the car should honk frantically to alert the pedestrians and fellow drivers of a dangerous situation happening.