Hawaii welcomes self-driving cars.
Do you dream of taking a vacation to Hawaii?
If so, you can now bolster those dreamy images in your head by including a new showcase that might not normally seem to go with swaying palm trees and breathtaking sunsets, namely the rolling along of self-driving cars.
Yes, Hawaii just became the 29th state to formally approve the testing of self-driving cars, allowing autonomous vehicles onto the streets and highways of this nationally revered wonderous set of islands. Having passed the legislative bill known as HB2590, and subsequently signed into law by Governor David Ige as Act 021, the Hawaiian Department of Transportation (HDOT) is mindfully authorized to forthwith issue permits for the use of self-driving cars.
The legislative process started in January and took over nine months to get settled, partially bumped around due to the pandemic disruption. Meanwhile, for those that have been watching the emerging interest in self-driving cars throughout Hawaii, you might recall that there was a big splash in 2017 when Governor Ige established an executive order to lay the groundwork toward bringing self-driving tech firms and automakers to the islands. There has also been the creation of the Hawaii Automated Vehicle Institute as led by the University of Hawaii Manoa iLab. Recently, it was announced in August that a $6 million federal grant from the FHA (Federal Highway Administration) will enable HDOT to proceed on experimenting with electronic connectivity for traffic aspects on federal highways in the state (a project headed by Professor David Ma at the University of Hawaii).
And so on.
In short, similar to how a long-time struggling actor suddenly gets spirited into the spotlight and miraculously seems to appear out of thin air, the reality about Hawaii and self-driving cars is that this is not an overnight revelation and instead, a statewide ongoing and steadfast pursuit of the matter.
One important point to keep in mind about the regulation is that any approved self-driving cars would only be used on a testing basis and are decidedly not allowed to roam wantonly on their own. Indeed, akin to most other states that have approved self-driving car testing, there must be a back-up human driver, also referred to as a test driver or safety driver, whenever the vehicles are out and about (see my analysis about the importance of these in-car human operators, at this link here).
An interesting added twist is that in three years the overall program will potentially come to a halt, depending upon a progress report to be prepared and submitted by HDOT, enabling the state authorities and the public to weigh-in on the benefits and downsides of the test trials. At that juncture, presumably, the legislature would extend the regulation or propose something anew, unless things have gone badly, in which case the existing allowances would expire, meaning that the self-driving testing would legally cease to be allowed.
In the executive order that was officially signed on November 22, 2017, this statement emphasized the vital nature of self-driving cars and the role that Hawaii could play therein: “WHEREAS, acknowledging that, today there is something akin to a space race to see who will develop driverless vehicles and advanced wireless technologies (i.e., the Internet of Things)—both of which have the power to influence the future outcomes for the daily lives of all Americans. —Hawaii, with its unique, favorable conditions, has become the ideal locale for testing.”
This brings up an intriguing question: Will automakers and self-driving tech firms flock to Hawaii and promptly proceed to undertake the testing of their AI-based true self-driving cars, or will they be slow to set up shop and perhaps wait to decide whether to inhabit the islands?
Now that the green light is shining, it does not necessarily mean that self-driving cars are going to be seen right away on Hawaiian roads. There is a business calculus, as it were, involved in choosing to conduct self-driving car testing in Hawaii, indeed the same kind of cost-benefit analyses of doing so in any state that has opened its doors to such an option.
Though you and I might relish going to Hawaii for the holidays, this is not how companies that are crafting self-driving cars and devising the next-generation of self-driving tech are going to similarly view the opportunity on the islands. It might seem shocking that not all firms on the mainland haven’t eagerly been champing at the bit to get underway in this tropical paradise.
Undoubtedly, zillions of AI developers and automotive engineers would go there in a heartbeat, likely hoping to get some topnotch surfing into their hectic schedules, but that’s not how this decision is going to be made.
Turns out that there are hard tradeoffs involved.
Before jumping into the challenges, it is handy to clarify what I mean when discussing AI-based true self-driving cars.
Time to unpack the matter and see.
Understanding The Levels Of Self-Driving Cars
As a clarification, true self-driving cars are ones that the AI drives the car entirely on its own and there isn’t any human assistance during the driving task.
These driverless vehicles are considered a Level 4 and Level 5 (see my explanation at this link here), while a car that requires a human driver to co-share the driving effort is usually considered at a Level 2 or Level 3. The cars that co-share the driving task are described as being semi-autonomous, and typically contain a variety of automated add-on’s that are referred to as ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems).
There is not yet a true self-driving car at Level 5, which we don’t yet even know if this will be possible to achieve, and nor how long it will take to get there.
Meanwhile, the Level 4 efforts are gradually trying to get some traction by undergoing very narrow and selective public roadway trials, though there is controversy over whether this testing should be allowed per se (we are all life-or-death guinea pigs in an experiment taking place on our highways and byways, some point out, see my indication at this link here).
Since semi-autonomous cars require a human driver, the adoption of those types of cars won’t be markedly different than driving conventional vehicles, so there’s not much new per se to cover about them on this topic (though, as you’ll see in a moment, the points next made are generally applicable).
For semi-autonomous cars, it is important that the public needs to be forewarned about a disturbing aspect that’s been arising lately, namely that despite those human drivers that keep posting videos of themselves falling asleep at the wheel of a Level 2 or Level 3 car, we all need to avoid being misled into believing that the driver can take away their attention from the driving task while driving a semi-autonomous car.
You are the responsible party for the driving actions of the vehicle, regardless of how much automation might be tossed into a Level 2 or Level 3.
Self-Driving Cars And Hawaii
For Level 4 and Level 5 true self-driving vehicles, there won’t be a human driver involved in the driving task.
All occupants will be passengers.
The AI is doing the driving.
Now that we’ve gotten that foundation established about self-driving cars, grab a Mai Tai or a Blue Hawaii drink and consider the question of why it makes sense to have firms opt-in to Hawaii for their self-driving car testing, and also why it might not be quite so prudent (sorry to say).
One aspect that was touted by authorities in Hawaii is that the state is not physically bordered by another state, and therefore offers a rather unique advantage accordingly. You might be at first puzzled why this aspect of being free of bordering states would be of any consequence for self-driving cars.
The answer is quite straightforward.
Each of the states is currently enacting its own proprietary set of regulations overseeing self-driving cars, of which about three-fifths of the states have done so, and the others have not yet enacted such legislation.
There is a possibility that if a self-driving car is being tested in state X, and the self-driving car perchance wanders over the state border into a neighboring state, its presence in that state Y is now either illegal within that state or bound to a differing set of laws as adopted by that state.
Some vehemently are arguing that this is partially the highlighted need to enact federal legislation that would be applicable across all of the states. In theory, a federal enactment would ensure that the laws are consistent and not an oddball patchwork. Readers of my column are aware that I’ve been covering the federal legislative efforts about self-driving cars, which have recently gotten back underway, but the chances of seeing new legislation getting approved this year, given the other matters grabbing national attention, would seem exceedingly slim.
In any case, for now, and the foreseeable future, Hawaii has the high ground, as it were, by pointing out that there is zero chance of a self-driving car somehow going across the state border and into another adjacent state. About all a self-driving car could do is end up in the ocean, perhaps the AI deciding that it too wants to hit the surf and enjoy those gnarly waves.
Okay, so this no-neighboring state is an actual advantage for being in Hawaii, but does it make a substantive difference?
Not especially.
I mention this with a somewhat heavy heart because, having lived in Hawaii, there is a temptation to aid in spurring self-driving cars to go there, aiming to bolster the state in its pursuits. Nonetheless, it is useful to see the world as it is, not as it is dreamed to be.
Look at it this way.
Most of the self-driving car tryouts are taking place in bustling cities or nestled suburbs, and not at outlier locations that happen to be on the borders with other states. Other than occasional stunts whereby a self-driving car is taken on a cross-country tour, doing so to gain publicity, there is not much testing that requires going from one state to another. Furthermore, unlike perhaps going across country boundaries, there isn’t any special driving action typically required when going from state to state, thankfully, and thus nothing unusual or extraordinary for the self-driving car to learn about doing so.
Thus, few of the self-driving car tryouts are being held back because they are not necessarily able to proceed from one state into an adjacent one. Also, for those that suggest this is something that could possibly happen on an unplanned basis, well, that’s rather nutty thinking. The testing of self-driving cars is being done on an extremely controlled basis by just about everyone doing such testing. They are not merely letting loose their self-driving cars each day with the fanciful idea that they can go anywhere.
In fact, by-and-large, the self-driving car testing on our public roadways involves extensive preparations for the specific routes to be taken. This includes pre-mapping the routes and anticipating what the roads and the scenery settings consist of. Then, these routes are used over and over again. Be assured that this is not some kind of wild west whereby you just let the horses run free and watch where they trot.
All told, until self-driving cars have mastered a lot more of their activity, the notion of going from state-to-state as part of the testing process is darned low on the list of priorities. Sadly, this pretty much undercuts the border touting exhortations, though they are certainly worth leveraging and maybe it will strike a chord with some.
Given that sentiment about the topic of the neighboring states, we can now proceed into aspects that would be more pronounced at this time.
First, one consideration is whether the state is seriously wanting to have self-driving car testing, or whether it is reluctantly doing so. Some states seem to have jumped on this popular bandwagon, and yet are warily eyeing the mechanizations and perhaps dragging their feet in allowing the testing (they would defend this posture by insisting they are aiming for the highest level of safety for such efforts, which can be argued that not all states are appropriately undertaking).
For Hawaii, it seems reasonable to assert that they are a state that appears to be favorable toward self-driving car testing (more to be known once applicants start submitting for the permits).
It seems fair to render a positive checkmark for Hawaii seriously being interested in the matter.
Of course, until those self-driving cars start to be seen on the roadways, it is difficult to know how the public is going to react. When the abstract idea of self-driving cars being around is simply a conceptual topic, it is easy to romanticize it. The moment that self-driving cars start appearing like bunnies, possibly lots of them on the roadways, the reaction can dramatically change.
Here’s something that most people find surprising, perhaps startling, and unimaginable, namely, there are already traffic jams and slow-going driving conditions, bumper to bumper, in some parts of Hawaii.
People that have never been to Hawaii are dumbfounded that this could be the case. They assume that all roads are wide open. Cars zip along, unfettered. Meanwhile, calm breezes and ocean views make any driving into a dream, rather than a chore.
That can be said for much of Hawaii, indeed for most of Hawaii, but not for all of Hawaii.
On Oahu, especially anywhere in or near Honolulu, the traffic can be stifling. Anyone that has been on Nimitz Highway at the wrong hours, which increasingly seems like any hours of the day, knows the equivalent of driving in Los Angeles whereby it is energy diluting and seemingly non-stop soul smashing traffic.
Insiders know why this occurs.
Hawaii happens to be one of the least populated states, approximately 1.4 million residents, and meanwhile, is also one of the most densely populated states in terms of the preponderance of populous being found in predominantly concentrated areas. Oahu alone has about one million of the residents, and Honolulu is both the state capital, the largest city, and a tourist magnet.
In brief, put a lot of people in a given or confined area of geography, and you have yourself an abundance of automobile traffic.
One viewpoint is that adding self-driving cars into that arena is likely to steam the locals. You already have to contend with human drivers, and the next thing that happens is that you’ll be trying to weave around those darned self-driving cars.
Though there is a case to be made that perhaps ultimately the adoption of self-driving cars will reduce traffic woes, this is assuredly not the case when doing the testing in the shorter term.
How will public opinion fare if self-driving cars add to the traffic angst?
The counterargument is that the number of self-driving cars that would likely be on those roads is tiny in comparison to the volume of human-driven conventional cars. Thus, it is unfair to point to self-driving cars as potential traffic muddlers. On the other hand, self-driving cars will stand out due to their obvious look-and-feel, which means that though they might be an infinitesimal amount of the traffic, they might nonetheless disproportionately get the blame and attention.
Of course, the self-driving car testing can be adjusted to try and avoid such a public relations calamity. By the self-driving cars being judiciously scheduled by the testers, they can avoid getting into the traffic blaming games.
This does bring up another vital facet to consider.
Where will the self-driving cars be tested in terms of the Hawaiian public roads to be utilized?
In theory, the self-driving cars could be positioned onto any of the islands. If you wanted to do testing that was in areas relatively unpopulated, do not make camp on Oahu, or at least aim for the remote parts of that island (or choose a different island).
Meanwhile, when you do want to mix into the throes of traffic, you know where that exists, and can thoughtfully do testing in those areas when so desired and reasonable to do so.
Oddly enough, the fact that there are places of mired traffic is actually important for the testing of self-driving cars.
Here’s why.
If you test self-driving cars in only unpopulated areas, the AI is not likely to “learn” what needs to be known to drive in the populated areas (this advancement is done via the use of Machine Learning and Deep Learning). In the famous old saying, practice what you aim to do in battle, those trying out their self-driving cars realize that merely using roads that have no other drivers and no other traffic is not conducive to advancing their self-driving car capabilities.
This brings us to advantage in using Hawaii for testing. There are a variety of useful testing scenarios that exist, encompassing the classic situation of traffic miseries aplenty, and then lots of opportunities to do testing in areas with little or no prevalent traffic.
Unfortunately, getting your self-driving cars from one island to the other is not going to be easy. The odds are that you would be more prudent to pick one island and stick with it.
Conclusion
There is a slew of additional factors too.
One of them is the weather.
The good news is that the weather in Hawaii is moderate and tropical. This provides a consistency nearly year-round, and one that is easy to work in for the trying out of the self-driving cars. The bad news is that you cannot particularly have your self-driving cars experience the seasonal extremes, such as snow (well, there is snow in some of the highest elevations in parts of Hawaii, but not readily where the self-driving cars are likely to be).
Another aspect is the cost of living in Hawaii, the availability of local AI talent and automotive engineers needed for the testing efforts, the costs to rent the facilities to house and maintain the self-driving cars, etc. On the other hand, living and working in Hawaii can be a blast, and could be used to lure the talent there, along with growing local talent at the same time.
Think too about the advertising bonanza, allowing a self-driving car company to provide video postings of its autonomous vehicles in the splendors of paradise. That’s got to put you on the headlines and front pages of the media proclamations that self-driving cars are here and now.
One final aspect, perhaps the 500-pound gorilla of them all, consists of the tourists.
Hawaii attracts about 10.4 million visitors each year, including about 230,000 people each day on average.
The good news is that this adds to the traffic and includes rental car driving, notorious for being unpredictable and erratic (this is good news because it provides more grist for the mill of Machine Learning). The bad news is that if self-driving cars were to irk the tourism trade, and it somehow spoiled the magical glow of the state, this would be akin to the tail wagging the dog, detrimentally.
To make a happy face on this last point, one supposes that perhaps the self-driving car testing could be made into a tourist attraction, as it were. Visitors arriving at Honolulu International Airport might get into a lottery to see which can take a ride in a self-driving car (if permitted), or be told to be on the watch for self-driving cars, spotting them as though they are akin to spotting a rare Hawaiian Monk Seal or a Hawaiian Hoary Bat.
It seems that everyone knows the use of shaka, the popular hand gesture that suggests the Aloha fortitude, and has become popular for indicating a sense of friendship and solidarity. There is an expression “E hele kāua” which generally means let’s go, such as let’s go party.
For self-driving cars coming to Hawaii, there are tradeoffs involved, but let’s hope for the E hele kāua, doing so in the grand spirit of the Aloha State.
Mahalo!
