{"id":7454,"date":"2021-08-30T13:10:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T13:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1365461"},"modified":"2021-08-30T13:10:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T13:10:04","slug":"toyotas-e-palette-hits-a-blind-paralympian-is-semi-automation-to-blame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=7454","title":{"rendered":"Toyota\u2019s e-Palette hits a blind Paralympian: is \u2018semi-automation\u2019 to blame?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Need a way to turn people off autonomous vehicles (AVs)? <span>That\u2019s what happened with Toyota\u2019s e-Pallette at the Tokyo Paralympics games this week. One of the company\u2019s self-driving transportation collided with and injured a visually impaired pedestrian. <\/span>The company <span>suspended all self-driving e-Palette transportation pods at the Games village in response.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">What exactly happened?<\/b><span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>While Toyota claims the accident happened during manual control, the company has suspended the use of all e-Palette self-driving pods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>In a&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/QJXhG_hFNK4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">YouTube video<\/a><span>, Toyota Chief Executive Akio Toyoda explained that the vehicle was under manual control at the time of the accident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The driver used the control joystick to stop at a T junction and then \u2014 when attempting to turn \u2014 hit the athlete going at around 1 or 2 kilometers an hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Luckily, the athlete wasn\u2019t badly hurt and was able to walk back to their residence after receiving medical attention. <\/span><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>Toyota is cooperating with local police to determine the cause of the accident and will conduct its own investigation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>To date, it\u2019s not clear whether the vehicle, the operator holding the joystick, or a combination of both, that caused the accident.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Passengers aren\u2019t the only \u2018client\u2019<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1365503 js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette.jpeg\" alt width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-280x187.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-203x135.jpeg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-405x270.jpeg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-796x531.jpeg 796w\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/the-toyota-e-palette-is-suspended-from-tokyo-paralympics-following-blind-pedestrian-hit#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fshift%2F2021%2F08%2F30%2Fthe-toyota-e-palette-is-suspended-from-tokyo-paralympics-following-blind-pedestrian-hit%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The Toyota e-Palette features large doors and electric ramps for quick and easy boarding.\" data-title=\"Share The Toyota e-Palette features large doors and electric ramps for quick and easy boarding. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The Toyota e-Palette features large doors and electric ramps for quick and easy boarding. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"><\/i><\/a>The Toyota e-Palette features large doors and electric ramps for quick and easy boarding.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1365503\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette.jpeg\" alt width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-280x187.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-203x135.jpeg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-405x270.jpeg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/08\/inside_the_toyota_e-palette-796x531.jpeg 796w\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<div id class=\"section html nomarginb\" readability=\"83.14061230019\">\n<p class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span>Toyota\u2019s attention to accessibility when it comes to the e-Palette is commendable, but you could argue it didn\u2019t do enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>For the people&nbsp;<\/span><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">inside<\/i><span>&nbsp;the vehicle, it\u2019s great. The e-Palette is a low-speed self-driving pod at<\/span><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/6-levels-autonomous-self-driving-explained-tesla-waymo-autopilot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\"><span>&nbsp;<\/span>SAE level 4<\/a><span>. It features large sliding large doors, low floors, and electric ramps which eases access. It\u2019s also capable of transporting up to four passengers in wheelchairs along with standing room, which is impressive.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>But when it comes to people&nbsp;<\/span><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">outside<span>&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><span>the vehicle it gets trickier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>The e-Palette has headlamps designed to mimic eye contact, which is neat\u2026 but isn\u2019t much help to the visually impaired. That\u2019s why a fundamental pillar of car-pedestrian communication is that cars need to be seen and&nbsp;<\/span><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">heard<\/i><span>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>Since 2019, electric vehicles makers have been required to include an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). This is in response to claims they are<\/span><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/teamdogs.co.uk\/articles\/blind-people-and-guide-dogs-can-t-hear-electric-cars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\"><span>&nbsp;<\/span>too quiet to be heard by blind people or their guide dogs<\/a><span>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>Now it\u2019s of course still unclear if the pedestrian was able to hear the car or not in this incident, but Toyota\u2019s Chief Executive did say it showed that \u201cautonomous vehicles are not yet realistic for normal roads.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs\" data-testid=\"paragraph-4\"><span>Is the problem automation\u2026 or semi-automation?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>The ToyotaChief\u2019s comment is understandable \u2014 and frankly correct \u2014 but it also skirts around one of the bigger issues: people.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>When car-makers promised us the dream of self-driving vehicles, it was effectively cars that drive themselves while we take a nap or lead a meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">[Read:&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\"><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/toyota-truck-a-machine-of-war-afghanistan-taliban\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">The Taliban love Toyota\u2026 but why<\/a><\/i><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">?]<\/i><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>But what we\u2019ve got so far is semi-autonomous vehicles like the e-Palette where a driver sits behind the wheel. The driver is&nbsp;<\/span><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">ideally<\/i><span>&nbsp;hyper-alert with their hands at the ready to take over control. But are drivers are capable of interacting safely with semi-automation?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>In most cases, yes. However, semi-autonomous vehicles (with the help of humans) have been<\/span><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2018\/03\/20\/us\/self-driving-uber-pedestrian-killed.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\"><span>&nbsp;<\/span>killing people since 2018<\/a><span>. when a safety driver in a self-driving Uber failed to notice a pedestrian until it was too late.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/against-tesla-transport-authorities-a-toothless-tiger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Tesla is also currently under scrutiny<\/a><span>&nbsp;after 11 cases of their vehiclescolliding with emergency vehicles. There was<\/span><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/tesla-autopilot-crashes-into-two-parked-cars-again-orlando-florida\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\"><span>&nbsp;<\/span>another parked-car collision<\/a><span>&nbsp;just this week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>While these vehicles are equipped with alarms, deceleration, and other whistles to ensure driver vigilance, they are hardly a posterchild for further automation.<\/span><span class=\"c-message__edited_label\" dir=\"ltr\" delay=\"300\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\" aria-describedby=\"sk-tooltip-7699\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Do I trust machines more than humans? Kinda<\/h2>\n<p><span>If Toyota\u2019s e-Palette was fully autonomous, it wouldn\u2019t have to rely on the driving skills or the focus of humans.&nbsp;In some respects, I trust a road full of completely autonomous vehicles more than a mix of semi-autonomous and zero automation cars.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Why? Because humans are unpredictable. They drive while drunk and stoned, and speed for fun. Autonomous vehicles do not. <\/span><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"><\/span><span>So if we can work out the details (ok, there\u2019s quite a few) like their ability to distinguish between stop signs on the streets and on trucks \u2014 and to be able to identify and stop for humans as well as animals \u2014 things might just get interesting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>But there\u2019s no way AVs will roll out without the gradual increase of autonomous functionality. A lot of drivers don\u2019t seem able to cope with the current level of automation. This is the rub and I can\u2019t see a way to reconcile this. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Meanwhile, we see more and more crashes and other incidents that fail to convince the average person of the future safety of autonomous vehicles. The road between&nbsp;<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/6-levels-autonomous-self-driving-explained-tesla-waymo-autopilot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">L4 and L6 automation<\/a>&nbsp;is long, and it\u2019s proving painful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i>Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up? <\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-richText c-richText--large\">\n<div class=\"c-richText c-richText--large\">\n<div class=\"c-richText c-richText--large\"><i><span>Then you need the weekly SHIFT newsletter in your life. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/hello.thenextweb.com\/shift\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><i><span>Click here to sign up.<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/the-toyota-e-palette-is-suspended-from-tokyo-paralympics-following-blind-pedestrian-hit\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Need a way to turn people off autonomous vehicles (AVs)? That\u2019s what happened with Toyota\u2019s e-Pallette at the Tokyo Paralympics games this week. One of the company\u2019s self-driving transportation collided with and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7455,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7454"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}