In a startling incident at a parking lot in Scottsdale, Arizona, a Los Angeles resident nearly missed his flight when a self-driving taxi malfunctioned, leaving him circling the lot helplessly.
Mike Johns, a tech industry professional, was on his way home last week when he encountered an unexpected ordeal involving a self-driving vehicle from a well-known company. This incident unfolded as Johns attempted to reach the airport using the autonomous car service. Instead of heading straight to his destination, the vehicle inexplicably began looping around the parking lot, trapping Johns inside.
A video posted by Johns on social media captures his frustration and bewilderment as he expressed, “Why is this thing going in a circle? I’m getting dizzy.” The incident quickly gained traction online, accumulating over two million views and highlighting potential concerns with self-driving technology.
Despite being on a call with customer service, Johns was unable to halt the car’s erratic path. His exasperation was evident as he questioned whether the system had been compromised. “It’s circling around a parking lot. I’ve got my seatbelt on, I can’t get out of the car. Has this been hacked? What’s going on?” he queried.
Ultimately, a representative managed to regain control of the vehicle, allowing Johns to continue his journey and barely make it to his flight. However, the experience left him questioning the level of empathy and human interaction within the digital world. He expressed uncertainties about whether he was communicating with a human or an AI during the incident, which added to his concerns.
As an advocate for technological advancement, Johns expressed his desire for the success of such autonomous services but emphasized the need for addressing these kinds of issues. “Where’s the empathy? Where’s the human connection to this?” Johns remarked when speaking about today’s often impersonal digital interactions.
Interestingly, despite the incident going viral, Johns noted the lack of follow-up from the company involved, which he found puzzling given the video’s widespread attention.
To date, the company has not issued a public comment regarding the event, leaving unresolved questions about the reliability and customer service approach of self-driving technology in real-world situations.
This troubling incident underscores the potential challenges and limitations of autonomous vehicles in everyday scenarios. As self-driving technology continues to evolve, ensuring safety and reliable human interaction remains crucial to gaining consumer trust.
Source: Wsvn
