Acknowledging the challenges that autonomous vehicles pose for pedestrians and how to signal intent and yield right-of-way, we learn via Curbed that UK automobile manufacturer Jaguar-Land Rover is testing a concept to engage passers-by with big emotive googly eyes installed on their driverless carriages where the headlights ought to be.
Knowing how I hesitate and shuffle back and forth at the kerb and cross-walk, I’m sure I’ll cause a dread miscalculation one of these days. What do you think? Following the idea that it’s second nature to lock eyes with a driver before crossing the street, researchers hope that this exchange of mutual recognition will be enough to instil confidence in the safety of the new technology.