@ChaosEngine

I'm not sure you understand what machine learning is. As I said, the trigger for your child.runsInFront() is based on numerical inputs from sensors that is fed into a formula with certain parameters and coefficients. This has been optimized from many hours of driving data but ultimately it's not able to predict novel events as it can only optimize off existing data. There is a base level of error from bias-variance tradeoff to this model that you cannot avoid. It's not simply a matter of logging enough hours of driving. If that base error level is not low enough, then autonomous cars may never be deemed reliable to be unsupervised.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias-variance_tradeoff
Or specifically: http://scott.fortmann-roe.com/docs/docs/BiasVariance/biasvariance.png

It's the same reason that a stock market simulator using the same method (but different inputs) is not accurate. The difference would be that while 55% correct for the stock market may be sufficiently accurate and useful to be profitable, a driving algorithm needs to be near perfect. It's true that a sensor reaction time to someone braking unexpectedly may be much better than a human's and prevent a crash, so yes in certain cases autonomous driving will be safer but because of exceptional cases, but it may never be truly hands-off and you may always need to be ready to intervene, just like how Tesla works today (and why on a regulatory level it passed muster).

The combination of Google hyping its project and poor understanding of math or machine learning is why news reports just parrot Google's reliability numbers. Tesla also, has managed to convince many people that it already offers autonomous driving, but the auto-steer / cruise and changing lanes tech has existed for around a decade. Volvo, Mercedes and Audi all have similar features. There is a tendency to treat this technology as magical or inevitable when there are some unavoidable limitations behind it that may never be surmounted.

This video has been seconded as a duplicate; transferring votes to the original video and killing this dupe - dupeof seconded with isdupe by newtboy.

*dupeof=http://videosift.com/video/Volvo-Pedestrian-Detection-Fails-to-Detect

This video has been nominated as a duplicate of this video by eric3579. If this nomination is seconded with *isdupe, the video will be killed and its votes transferred to the original.

http://videosift.com/video/Volvo-Pedestrian-Detection-Fails-to-Detect

The point is that Volvo apparently has a contract with a new ad firm that is trying to make its mark with more and more viral advertising. What was the purpose of jean claude van damme doing splits between volvo trucks? Pretty much the same. Given that Volvo is one of the more well-known unknown brands in the world, I guess they feel that they need the attention?

I think to convey the message:
Volvo Trucks - so easy to drive, even GIRLS can drive them.

I think the point, and I'm guessing, was to show how tough Volvo's new truck line is.
Or, just to get viral views for Volvo.

Either is estimable in my opinion.

*viral - Volvo - so safe that crashing is fun!

Your video, This is why people say Volvos are tanks, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

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I made acquaintance with one of those once.
Damage to my car: $4000
Damage to the Volvo: $0

The linked article on Fusion cites a Volvo spokesperson.

Apparently, this XC60 didn't have the pedestrian detection system installed in the first place. And even if it did, the accelerator automatically overrides the brake command given by the system. Not the way I would have designed it...

Congratulations! Your video, Volvo LifePaint - Reflective safety spray, has reached the #1 spot in the current Top 15 New Videos listing. This is a very difficult thing to accomplish but you managed to pull it off. For your contribution you have been awarded 2 Power Points.

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Your video, Volvo LifePaint - Reflective safety spray, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

This achievement has earned you your "Pop Star" Level 17 Badge!

Ever watch any racing? Notice how locking up the tires is always called out as a bad thing? It's not because of flat-spotting, it's because the car won't stop as quickly so it won't make the corner. Or, in the case of two wheel racing, the bike just falls over from the sudden reduction in traction.

Better yet: http://videosift.com/video/Volvo-Trucks-Emergency-braking-at-its-best