Some promises in the pitfalls of automated and autonomous vehicles: A response to commentators

Abstract

My interlocutors have offered numerous and important responses to my target article. Here, I endeavour to respond to the issues raised. Despite some contentions over specifics, the overall tenor of these commentaries is one of general agreement. One particular challenge, as noted, is how to disseminate our discipline’s knowledge beyond the pages of our journals to effect the impact and change in the world to which we aspire. This is a challenge that transcends efforts solely associated with automated vehicles, but it may be in this specific realm that our science can offer its most widespread impact in the immediate, coming future.

Keywords:

• Automation
• autonomy
• traffic safety
• transportation

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank each of the responders who took time and care to reply to my original offering. Although we are not in perfect agreement about each and every point, I think the general level of accord exhibited attests to the internal strength of Ergonomics. The challenge largely seems to lie beyond our boundaries and how to exert our meaningful impact in the wider world. In taking the comments about our wider influence seriously, I did send the target article, the commentaries, and my own present rejoinder to Elon Musk. Unfortunately, by the time of publication I have received no reply. This is perhaps understandable given the pace of progress and the demands of controlling a major technology company. Time tends to limit us all.