Sci-fi satire or serious real-world issue
It might sound like something out of a science fiction flick, but it happened for real on a California freeway. CHP responded to reports of a Kia SUV cruising down U.S. 101 near San José, with the two occupants apparently fast asleep. Several concerned motorists attempted to get the pair’s attention by flashing their lights and honking before law enforcement arrived, but to no avail. The surreal spectacle was captured on video by a passing trucker and posted on his TikTok account.
Kia
The CHP Response
CHP responded to calls from several concerned road users past midnight, and arrived on the scene to find the semi-autonomous Kia EV9 maintaining its speed and lane, apparently solely under the guidance of its driver-assist systems. Officers first tried the usual tactics to grab the attention of the sleeping occupants, including sounding sirens, flashing lights, and even getting on their loudspeakers, but received no response from within the SUV.
After further assessing the situation, the officers present decided to employ unorthodox means to resolve the situation; one patrol car positioned itself ahead of the Kia and gradually slowed down, while another boxed it in from behind. This maneuver prompted the EV9’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to initiate automatic braking, ultimately bringing the SUV to a safe and controlled stop without incident. The ‘driver’ was subsequently roused from his slumber and taken into custody for suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Understanding the Technology
The Kia EV9 is equipped with an SAE Level 2 Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system, akin to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Ford’s BlueCruise systems. Such systems are designed to steer, brake, and accelerate using a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist. However, the law clearly states that the system must be supervised at all times, and the vehicle’s operator must stay alert, keep their hands on the wheel, and be prepared to take over control of required. The system is supposed to issue audible warnings when it senses driver inactivity and slow the vehicle down to 38 mph if these warnings are ignored. At this time, there is no confirmation of whether or not these alerts were triggered or overridden in this incident.
Kia
The Takeaway
While this incident may have been defused before anybody got hurt, it serves as a cautionary tale about the improper use of modern driver assistance systems. The EV9’s systems may have prevented a crash that night, but they also allowed a pair of allegedly intoxicated occupants to keep rolling long after they should’ve been off the road. This episode is a stark reminder that even the smartest car on the highway still needs an awake, sober, and responsible human in the driver’s seat.
About the author
Anosh Khumbatta
News Editor