Intelligent Auto Technologies Are Here,and Drivers Are Losing Control

摘要

Vehicles are being embedded with advanced technological capabilities and we are headed quickly towards completely self-driving cars. These same technologies will also enhance the convenience and safety features in all types of vehicles. The era of intelligent cars is here. Most vehicles manufactured and sold in 2019, that are not economy versions, include some form of adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation, video monitoring of adjacent lane obstructions, heads up display (HUD), and parking assist up to and including self-parking capabilities. With the plethora of new technologies being incorporated into our vehicles that are still controlled by us, how are we managing? According to anecdotal evidence gathered from several Honda dealerships in middle Tennessee many drivers aren't satisfied with some of these capabilities. This paper attempts to explain the technologies available and in use, and the driver's thoughts about partial assist technologies that are currently in place. While these features are designed to enhance safety and decrease traffic accidents, are they actually increasing driver safety or simply facilitating driver distraction? NTSB standards and recommendations will be summarized, and a questionnaire developed that helps us examine driver reaction to the technologies embedded in 2019 and 2020 Honda vehicles.