FBI concerned about autonomous cars and their use to criminals

[SilentHopes]

http://gigaom.com/2014/07/16/disrupting-the-drive-by-why-the-fbis-warning-about-driverless-cars-and-shootings-is-silly/

With the reality of autonomous cars coming closer and closer, it has become the point of concern for the FBI. Before these cars even hit the road on a mass scale, the thought of criminals utilizing this technology has already created problems. According to the FBI, autonomous cars “will have a high impact on transforming what both law enforcement and its adversaries can operationally do with a car.” They go on to say that “bad actors will be able to conduct tasks that require use of both hands or taking one’s eyes off the road which would be impossible today.” On the other hand, the FBI details certain ways in which autonomous cars could be helpful for law enforcement. 

Personally I think that their reaction is a bit far-fetched. Driverless cars are driverless as a factor of convenience. As such, they likely will not be designed to exceed the speed limit, which would be a necessary factor if a criminal were to use one as a getaway vehicle. Taking out a vehicle that can't go any faster than the speed limit is much easier than one that is driving recklessly. 

[Oshino Shinobu]

Bet you the biggest criminal activity spawned from autonomous cars is going to be the government illegally tracking where you're going each day. 

[Snickerzz]

They should make every car like a bait car where police and wirelessly lock car doors and shut down the car

[ThyFeared]

"Bomb on Wheels" seriously FBI mister peoples

[ACatWithThumbs]

They should make every car like a bait car where police and wirelessly lock car doors and shut down the car

Yeah let's make Watchdogs real...

 

[Oshino Shinobu]

Yeah let's make Watchdogs real...

 

Life: Now poorly optimised with parts missing. 

[Jaybird]

Bet you the biggest criminal activity spawned from autonomous cars is going to be the government illegally tracking where you're going each day.

They already do this today. Ever seen those cameras above intersections? Well they aren't monitoring traffic. They are tracking your licenses plate.

[Misanthrope]

I'm sorry but I don't follow: you mean to tell me you would ever be able to program a self driving car to drive past the speed limits and not only that but teach it how to automatically go into fast and furious mode when chased by the police? Someone needs to tell the FBI about Asimov's laws of robotics. I thought that would be common sense by now but apparently not.

[Snickerzz]

Yeah let's make Watchdogs real...

yea

[LAwLz]

In other news, the FBI are concerned that "roads" may aid criminals escaping from the police.

On the other hand, the FBI also detailed certain ways that roads can be beneficial to law enforcers as well.

[Kamil]

Self-driving cars: Almost as useful as an accomplice when it comes to being able to do crime in a moving vehicle, but much more expensive and far LESS useful when doing crimes at all other times. Definitely a primary concern.

[mr moose]

Drive by shootings can now be carried out just as accurately by one person now.  Too bad the get away could be hindered by the auto stop function when the cars guidance system is jammed.

 

Maybe you can download a ramraid app from the google store for you autonomous car?  :unsure: :blink:

[bogus]

Imagine a fleet of cars armed with bombs, without the need of humans to take them to the target... terrifying.

What's the profile to identify a armed car with no passengers in it?

[Puddleuk]

A quick FYI. Driverless cars still require a person behind the wheel, they don't have to drive but they still have to keep an eye on things. There was one car which set of an alarm if the person behind the wheel closed their eyes for more than 10 seconds or so. 

 

Being in a driverless car with someone not behind the wheel would be illegal basically.

[Fetzie]

Life: Now poorly optimised with parts missing. 

 

And with reduced graphical fidelity, so that the blind people aren't missing out as much.