Automated Driving in Ann Arbor, Michigan

TorqueNews recently reported that Ann Arbor was was to be the test city for an automated driving test.  The project (Safety Pilot Model Deployment) which will allow vehicles to communicate with each other and with roadside information stations via wireless, is now accepting applications from potential participants.  It is being run by University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.  Wireless communication is a vital component for an automated driving system because the ability of individual vehicles to exchange information with each other or roadside information stations will help an automated driving system reach its full potential in terms of both safety and efficiency.

Privacy in Automated Driving

Consumer Watchdog has released a letter calling on the California State Assembly to block passage of a bill to allow driverless cars on California roads unless strong privacy protections are put in place.  Specifically the last line of the letter states, "SB 1298 must be amended to provide that individual data profiles about the use of a driverless vehicle cannot be compiled without the user’s permission and that permission should not be required for use or purchase of such a vehicle."

I happen to agree entirely with this sentiment.  We should build privacy, from both business and government, into the automated driving systems from the ground up, not try to add it after the fact.