Autonowashing

Hence, the case for the use of the term "autonowashing" to describe the gap in the presentation of automation and the actual system capabilities is put forth. This paper presents case studies and discusses key issues in autonowashing, a term/concept that influences or relates to public perceptions of vehicle automation.

[Dixon] cites the use of vague language and the failure to prove claims as being characteristics of autonowashing, and she highlights the media’s culpability in relation to its ‘utopian’ reporting and exaggeration of the level of autonomy. Indeed, there are numerous examples of articles whose headlines suggest they are about ‘driverless’ vehicles but that go on to reveal that there is a safety driver at the wheel.

As companies dig deep into their marketing of ADAS features, some names go too far to indicate more autonomy than what's possible. The name for this phenomenon? Autonowashing.

This week the gang discusses a few of the most recent examples, explores a misperception at the heart of some more innocent autonowashing, talks Elon Musk on SNL and pitches a few new ideas for future shows.