> On this note, how many human drivers actually know what to do if their brakes fail? In fairness, they all should know. Believe me when I say I'm for much str

> On this note, how many human drivers actually know what to do if their brakes fail? In fairness, they all should know. Believe me when I say I'm for much stricter standards for human drivers. > I think very few humans actually understand these concepts. Autonomous vehicles don't panic, and they can be programmed with rules to maximize the probability of survival. The survival of who, though? The occupants? The occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians? If the breaks fail on a narrow mountain road, does the car decide to throw itself off the cliff or collide with the car in front of it, potentially pushing it off the cliff instead? (Eventually, I think the cars would be able to talk to each other and the front car could intentionally use itself to slow and stop the rear car.) This is a can of worms, too. > How cool would that be? It's all really cool, but until the courts and Congress have figured out a lot of these issues, I'm not sure these cars are going to be my cup of tea.