Autonomy Method – Acquiring Skills for Ethical Analysis of Computerisation in Car Driving

As a result of the advances made within the field of information technology, many complex and cognitively demanding tools have been introduced into modern transportation. For example, smaller high-speed ferries are equipped with video cameras at the back of the ship to support berthing. The captain then has to integrate several video images into a complete picture of the ship’s location, something which can be demanding for someone who already has a high cognitive load [Olsson & Jansson, in press]. Furthermore, modern ship bridges are also being equipped with electronic charts, digital conning displays, more radio communication systems, etc. This technology is introduced with the purpose of aiding the officers on the bridge, but sometimes all this technology put together can work against the captain’s goals. For example, if the parallel usage of many systems, on top of the traditional navigation tasks, becomes too cognitively demanding for the driver [Wickens & Hollands, 2000].