This definitely seems like an idea created and propagated by people with no idea about how these systems work. The Cruise Automation/GM videos show the cars crossing lane markings when a truck is blocking traffic in their lane, so these systems are being built to realise that while traffic laws may say one thing, practice requires something different.<p>Certainly entertaining though.
> Of course, it’s just a regular car he drives into it for demonstration purposes.<p>Because a self-driving car wouldn't have any reason to drive into the circle, so it wouldn't get "caught".<p>The actual reason a regular car is used is because this is an "art installation" and not a serious critique of self-driving algorithms.<p>A more effective trap would be a "no entry" sign on a one-way street (or one side of a dual carriageway), positioned so the car can't see it before entering the street.
I wonder if we'll eventually see a world where the former Uber drivers who are slowly being lulled into dependence fight back when their jobs are automated away. Autonomous vehicles could be an easy target in a lot of ways, especially when unoccupied. Slap some electrical tape on their sensors, chock their tires, or confuse them with clever tactics like this.
I suspect you'll see some real world versions of this sort of thing from truckers when self driving semis get some traction.<p>Truckers are very well organized, both officially via unions and informally via radio shows, newsletters, online forums, and the like.<p>Not that it will accomplish much, but it will be a lively transiton.
Actually, this raises some rather large questions about intent of someone fooling a self-driving car. Laying a trap for the occupants, so that they can be easily robbed.<p>Like the mischief being mentioned against trucks and Uber's by drivers (we can almost guarantee this will happen), what about just strait up traps for robbery?<p>There were some cases of this with the Pokémon game right?
People do this to regular cars already with acts such as stealing stop signs. In some ways self driving cars will be easier to fool, but in other ways more difficult (eg, intersections with stop signs may also be contained in a database).