Engineering360: "Watch: Autonomous vehicles may be vulnerable to phantom objects in their path"

The plot thickens . . . .

Phantom objects are one method to muck about with smart vehicles. I have encountered uncivilised pedestrians who make eye contact then step in front of a regular vehicle, causing the driver to brake hard so they may cross. Once such a-hole pedestrians know every car (autonomous or driven) has automatic pedestrian safety braking, we will see multi-car front-to-rear pile-ups thanks to the a-hole pedestrian deliberately walking in front of the first vehicle, confident he will be safe, laughing at the expense of a dozen bent vehicles.

<sigh>, . . . yeah, I could believe that might start to happen.

Yeah - I've met that guy.

The confidence may be misplaced though as the second car's impact could throw the first car into the a-hole. If the following vehicle is a much larger one it cold be quite violent.

Years ago I had some clown start crossing the road mid-block without even looking at me, knowing that I was driving towards him. I was driving a stick shift at the time. I shifted the car into neutral and hit the gas, causing the engine to roar but go no faster (just coast). The idiot heard the engine Rev High and immediately BOLTED to the sidewalk, looking my way in panic as I coasted by him laughing hysterically. I definitely got his Full Attention that afternoon. Still gives me a chuckle to this day.

One benefit of people doing this in front of an autonomous vehicle is that you have your hands free to roll down your window and toss them a nice cold beverage, possibly making a new friend.

;8 D