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BMW uses the slogan The Ultimate Driving Machine, but it might have to change it soon if it takes this technology too far. It has developed an auto-pilot system that drives the car for you.
Installed in a 5-series, the system incorporates radar, cameras, lasers and ultrasonic sensing to look around the entire car and drive it down the road. It says that the self-driving car has traveled over 5,000km on the German autobahn. The car is entirely in control of the driving, but the driver can take over at any time. BMW says that the system is just meant for testing, and it will use the data that it gained to improve current assistance systems.
The real question BMW should be asking is if there is a place where it is worth spending money, and maybe if this is an ethical place to spend money.
You can tell drivers as much as you want that you still have to pay attention to the road when this technology is working, but drivers are not going to be watching as closely if they do not have to. If there are constant complaints about drivers texting or talking on the phone while driving, should BMW really be giving people more free time on the road? I know that there are a lot of drivers who hate driving, but making their cars automatons on the road, is not a good or safe solution.
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