Can eyes on self-driving cars reduce accidents?

Robotic eyes on autonomous vehicles could improve pedestrian safety, according to a new study at the University of Tokyo. Participants played out scenarios in virtual reality (VR) and had to decide whether to cross a road in front of a moving vehicle or not. When that vehicle was fitted with robotic eyes, which either looked at the pedestrian (registering their presence) or away (not registering them), the participants were able to make safer or more efficient choices. Self-driving vehicles seem to be just around the corner. Whether they'll be delivering packages, plowing fields or busing kids to school, a lot of research is underway to turn a once futuristic idea into reality. While the main concern for many is the practical side of creating vehicles that can autonomously navigate the world, researchers at the University of Tokyo have turned their attention to a more "human" concern of self-driving technology.