{"id":10359,"date":"2017-11-03T02:36:37","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T02:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=10359"},"modified":"2017-11-04T02:40:26","modified_gmt":"2017-11-04T02:40:26","slug":"on-board-computers-and-sensors-could-stop-the-next-car-based-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/on-board-computers-and-sensors-could-stop-the-next-car-based-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"On-board computers and sensors could stop the next car-based attack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jeremy Straub<\/a>, North Dakota State University<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In the wake of car- and truck-based attacks around the world<\/a>, most recently in New York City<\/a>, cities are scrambling to protect<\/a> busy<\/a> pedestrian<\/a> areas<\/a> and popular events. It\u2019s extremely difficult<\/a> to prevent vehicles<\/a> from being<\/a> used<\/a> as<\/a> weapons<\/a>, but technology can help. <\/p>\n

Right now, cities are trying to determine where and how to place statues<\/a>, spike strip nets<\/a> and other barriers<\/a> to protect crowds. Police departments are trying to gather better advance intelligence<\/a> about potential threats, and training officers to respond<\/a> \u2013 while regular people are seeking advice for surviving<\/a> vehicle attacks.<\/p>\n

These solutions aren\u2019t enough: It\u2019s impractical to put up physical barriers everywhere, and all but impossible to prevent would-be attackers from getting a vehicle. As a researcher of technologies for self-driving vehicles<\/a>, I see that potential solutions already exist, and are built into many vehicles on the road today. There are, however, ethical questions to weigh about who should control the vehicle \u2013 the driver behind the wheel or the computer system that perceives potential danger in the human\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

A computerized solution<\/h2>\n

Approximately three-fourths of cars and trucks<\/a> surveyed by Consumer Reports in 2017 have forward-collision detection as either a standard or an optional feature. These vehicles can detect obstacles \u2013 including pedestrians<\/a> \u2013 and stop or avoid hitting them<\/a>. By 2022, emergency braking will be required<\/a> in all vehicles sold in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Safety features in today\u2019s cars<\/a> include lane-departure warnings<\/a>, adaptive cruise control<\/a> and various types of collision avoidance<\/a>. All of these systems involve multiple sensors, such as radars and cameras, tracking what\u2019s going on<\/a> around the car<\/a>. Most of the time, they run passively, not communicating with the driver nor taking control of the car. But when certain events occur<\/a> \u2013 such as approaching a pedestrian or an obstacle<\/a> \u2013 these systems spring to life.<\/p>\n

Warning systems can make a sound, alerting a driver that the car is straying out of its lane<\/a>, either into oncoming traffic or perhaps off the road itself. They can even control the car, adjusting speed<\/a> to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. And collision avoidance systems<\/a> have a variety of capabilities, including audible alerts that require driver response, automatic emergency braking and even steering the car out of harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n

Existing systems can identify the danger<\/a> and whether it\u2019s headed toward the car (or if the car\u2019s headed toward it). Enhancing these systems could help prevent various driving behaviors that are commonly used during attacks, but not in safe operations of a vehicle. <\/p>\n

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