Multiple autonomous vehicles in Brazil and France: innovation, technology, society controversies

Abstract

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) represent an innovation that substantially impacts urban mobility and transport systems. From this, the objective of this article was to understand the controversies present around autonomous vehicles, explaining the different ways this disruptive innovation was enacted in Brazil and France. Theoretically, we use the Actor-Network Theory perspective that overcomes an individualistic view by describing heterogeneous interactions between humans and non-humans. The method of this study was the mapping of controversies. Several sources of data collection, like documentary research, are based on data available on the internet in YouTube videos, scientific articles, texts of laws, texts in magazines, and the insertion of one of the researchers in a discussion group on the subject. In the case of autonomous vehicles, this study indicates that they still transit through different uncertainties that permeate controversies involving four central issues: business models (gas stations, parking lots, automakers, and technology companies), transport planning, and urban mobility (autonomous systems, traffic control, and demand forecast), public policies (incentive, financing, and support), ethical and legal aspects (regulations, government guidelines, and responsibilities). The study showed the performance of multiple autonomous vehicles in practices related to public policies, ethical and legal aspects, urban mobility, and new business models – each practice. In other words, different ways to enact automotive technology. So far, a VA is not a stabilized artifact. It is a technology whose design is, today, in several controversies.