Human-Robot interaction : Tesla making a right turn

Sooner than we might expect, autonomous cars will be navigating our cities, and drivers will transition to passengers, paying minimal attention to traffic. I even envision a future without driver seats, with occupants of autonomous cars gathered around a table, engaged in social interaction.

However, what about the dynamics between drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists? This interaction demands mutual awareness; a lack of it could lead to hazardous outcomes.

I'm particularly vigilant about establishing eye contact with drivers, essentially using it as my 'interface' when crossing a street, especially during a right turn on red. Trusting that a driver will glance in my direction before accelerating through the turn is something I can't risk.

Ensuring safety dictates the importance of establishing eye contact with a driver before stepping in front of a vehicle. But how does one accomplish this with an autonomous car?

While current autonomous vehicles are equipped with sensors to prevent accidents, if one were to walk in front of them at just the right moment, it could trigger a sudden reaction from the car. After accelerating for a turn, the vehicle might abruptly stop, alarming pedestrians and passengers alike. Such an experience would be better avoided.

Consider also the scenario where someone stands behind a street pole, out of view of the autonomous car's sensors. Upon stepping out to cross the street, assuming the car detects them, the vehicle won't hit them, but the sudden reaction could still be startling.

The ability to make right turns at a red light is essential for traffic flow but demands careful safety checks by human drivers. I have a simple idea that could enhance safety and streamline this process for autonomous cars.

How about a simple light that tells the pedestrian what the car is sensing?

Red light = I'm an autonomous car, but I don't see you. So, I think it's okay to make a turn!

Wouldn't it be more effective to incorporate a bright light on autonomous cars to indicate their intent? Pedestrians could then focus on this light, akin to making eye contact with a human driver. Positioning this light near where eye contact would have been.

A green light would signal to pedestrians that they're seen by the car and can proceed. If the light turns bright red, it alerts pedestrians to use caution, indicating that the car doesn't detect them. This approach eliminates guesswork and transparently communicates the AI's decision-making process.

However, what about blind individuals? 

They wouldn't see this light. Perhaps a safety sensor could be implemented to detect a high-pitched sound, informing the blind whether it's safe to proceed or not. The autonomous car emits a sound as an indication of its current intent.