The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles and the risks posed on consumers

Valerie Raskovic

Oct 15, 2024

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In recent years, electrification in vehicles has revolutionized the automotive industry with new driver aids and various levels of advanced driverless technologies being installed in many of the new vehicles on sale today. Beyond clean energy and sustainability goals there may be something sinister laying behind this effort to electrify the future. In this article we want to address some of the more potentially controversial topics related to driverless technology.

This cutting-edge technology offers car owners unprecedented convenience. Just imagine arriving at your desired location without ever needing to find a parking spot. The modern car can autonomously find a parking spot on its own—this futuristic vision is now becoming reality. We are on the brink of full vehicle autonomy. You no longer need to waste time searching for parking, remembering where you parked your car, or worrying about squeezing into a narrow door opening just because another car parked too close. The future of driving is here, making everyday tasks simpler and stress-free.

However, that convenience comes at a cost because just as the car is able to self-park it will soon be able to drive itself to a location programmed by the manufacturer.  Self-repossessing vehicles and increased police control over vehicles may soon become a reality. This raises an important question about the balance between convenience, control, and privacy. As self-driving technology and AI continue to advance, the power dynamics in the auto industry and consumer trends around bound to shift.

We know main stream adoption of fully autonomous vehicle is just around the corner. On October 10, 2024, during a highly anticipated event at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles, Tesla unveiled the Cybercab and demonstrated its driverless operation. Tesla’s Elon Musk emphasized its competitive price point, estimating it will cost under $30,000. Production is expected to begin by 2026. However, the real-world testing of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) features is set to begin next year. Tesla envisions a future where smart autonomous vehicles are able to take the stress out of driving.

All the obvious convenance and efficiency related factors aside, I think it is important to address some of the things that auto manufacturers are not talking about and that has to do with all the other goals they wish to accomplish using autonomous vehicles. Beyond appealing to the regular consumers manufacturers want to offer benefits to businesses such as lenders and fleet companies as well as maintain a good relationship with law enforcement and this is the reason we predict that the autonomous technology is not just intended as a tool to simplify people’s lives but as part of a greater system of control.

The Future of Autonomous Repossession

Imagine a scenario where missing a few car payments results in your vehicle driving itself back to the bank’s storage lot. This concept is no longer purely theoretical it is actually in the works. Granted there is some local and possibly federal legislation that will need to be amended before this becomes mainstream but it’s just a matter of time. With their influence in key governmental sectors, manufacturers like Tesla can integrate AI based self-driving technologies into our everyday lives by the end of the decade.

It is very likely that manufacturers will work alongside with banks and lenders to further capitalize on this technology to enforce loan agreements in unprecedented ways.

Currently, when a borrower defaults on a car loan, the bank hires a third-party repossession agent to retrieve the vehicle. This is not only costly and time-consuming for the bank, but it also involves significant delays. With self-repossession, lenders could simply initiate a command, and the vehicle could autonomously drive itself back to a designated location. No human involvement, no confrontations. While it sounds efficient, there are inherent concerns about what this could mean for privacy and individual autonomy. It is important to understand that a program command cannot be reasoned with, and it is very possible that there will be situations where the act of self-repossession may endanger the vehicle occupants and owners. Just imagine driving to a secluded piece of wilderness for a hike just to come back and see that your car is gone and you are stuck in the middle of nowhere exposed to the elements. This is a may be a serious concern in just a few short years.  These ethical dilemmas have not been publicly addressed and pose a serious risk not only to our autonomy but to our entire way of life.

Police and Government Control of Vehicles

Another very real possibility on the horizon is the use of autonomous technology by law enforcement. Imagine a world where the police can remotely disable a car during a high-speed chase or use the car’s self-driving functions to capture potential suspects and drive them directly to the police station. This technology could help reduce the dangers associated with vehicle pursuits, which are often perilous for everyone involved.

Granted, this capability has a real chance of improving our safety both on the road and reduce crime however, it comes at a price.

This level of remote control, though, raises serious concerns about civil liberties. If law enforcement can remotely control your vehicle, it leads to questions of abuse of power and surveillance. While the technology offers clear benefits in preventing accidents and aiding public safety, there is a fine line between protection and overreach.

Putting drivers out of work

Another effect of the widespread adoption of driverless technology is all the people that will be left out of work. We are talking about good hard-working people like truck drivers, cab drivers, tow truck operators and more… What will they do to feed their families? The future is uncertain, but it is unlikely that all the people displaced by this industry shift will be able to find new employment in the new emerging technologies. It is highly likely that by adapting to full autonomous driving vehicles we may see a rise in unemployment, homelessness and petty crime.

Safety & Security Risks

As most of us already know computers are not infallible, computers break, code gets corrupted, devices get hacked, it’s inevitable. No matter how safe the firewall and the encryption there will always be people working day and night to find a way in the system. Needless to say, if a car can be remotely controlled by a lender or law enforcement, hackers could potentially exploit that capability for malicious purposes, compromising the safety and privacy of drivers in ways that we cannot even fathom. Relying too heavily on AI and self-driving technologies could present challenges, especially if systems fail or experience malfunctions. There’s no guarantee that this technology will be foolproof.

Even beyond the obvious safety risks and privacy infringement risks, giving the police the power to disable vehicles remotely introduces concerns about abuse of power. Critics argue that it could be used disproportionately in certain communities or situations, potentially leading to civil rights violations.

The Path Forward

The future of self-repossessing vehicles and police-controlled cars is both exciting and worrisome. On the other hand, it opens up new concerns about privacy, autonomy, and the potential for misuse. As time goes on we will have to grapple with the pros and cons presented by emerging technologies. Consumer may need to weigh the value they place on convenience and safety over our privacy and freedom. It is highly likely that people may lose some degree of control over the products they own and face new challenges and stresses if they fall behind on payments or have overdue parking tickets.

I sincerely hope that we will be able to strike a balance between convenience and personal autonomy through various checks and balances as well as new, well thought out legislation. However, at this point the only advise we can offer is to stay informed about emerging vehicle technologies. Awareness is key, especially as these innovations may impact how we live our everyday lives.

Ultimately, the rise of autonomous vehicle control is a reflection of how quickly technology is evolving and the new challenges and opportunities that come with it. Whether this development is a net positive or negative will depend on how it's implemented and regulated.