Researchers at N.C. State University are taking a unique approach to training self-driving cars by using a virtual reality program to collect data on the moral decisions made by drivers. The team hopes that this information will be used to train autonomous vehicles to navigate different traffic situations and make sound moral judgments.
The virtual reality experiment involves placing drivers in simulated scenarios where they must make decisions such as whether or not to run a red light or exceed the speed limit. The researchers are interested in not only understanding how humans make moral judgments but also in training machines to do the same.
“We have to explain not only how humans make moral judgments, but how we can train machines to make moral judgments and to see where things go wrong, even with humans,” explained Dr. Veljko Dubljević, a coauthor of the experiment and professor of philosophy and science technology and Society at N.C. State.
The team has already collected data on a small scale but hopes to expand their project to include thousands of drivers in the future. This larger data collection will provide them with more insights into the decision-making process and help shape the moral algorithms that self-driving cars rely on.
While the prospects of fully autonomous cars on major roadways seem promising, there are still concerns about their ability to navigate heavily populated areas. Dr. Dubljević remains cautiously optimistic, stating, “I’m not sure that we’re going to get to the point where we can trust autonomous vehicles to drive in downtown areas like downtown Raleigh. So the jury’s still out.”
This groundbreaking research at N.C. State University brings us closer to a future where self-driving cars can not only safely navigate our roads but also make sound moral decisions that align with human values. By using virtual reality to collect data and train artificial intelligence, the team is paving the way for smarter and more ethical autonomous vehicles.
The source of the article is from the blog jomfruland.net