Lahore – In Punjab, new A.I. testing vehicles will revolutionize the process of obtaining a driving license. These vehicles would utilize A.I. technology in order to take the place of the driving examiners on the road. Punjab would become the first Province in Pakistan to implement such A.I. technology into driving examinations.
What the Car Looks Like
Waqas, DIG Punjab, has released a video on the department’s social media showcasing a model prototype of the smart test vehicle. In the video, he claims that the government plans to launch the model in the new financial year. After the original release of the model, plans are to produce about 200 vehicles operated A.I. to test driving skills throughout Punjab.
What the AI Test Will Work
The process starts even before the candidate begins driving. Presumably, the test would take place in the car interior. Applicants would have to ‘sit’ on a test, and a fingerprint scanner located on the dashboard would be the first step in ‘identity vefification’ for able pass candidates.
The robot car will be fitted with a boarding surface that will be able to receive pre-recorded information. In addition, vehicle monitoring systems that utilize facial recognition to assess the people and systems on the dashboard. These systems along with traffic signal cameras will be able to determine ‘correct driving.’ At the same time, external systems will evaluate ‘incorrect driving’ systems such as cones, incorrect turns, and similar incorrect maneuvers.
After a candidate takes their test, the AI center reviews their work and generates a pass/fail result in a matter of minutes. Right after the decision, the result is saved in the system and there is little to no chance of human interference.
Addressing Bias and Corruption
An objective of the project is to win back public confidence on the licensing procedure. For years the driving test in Pakistan has been seen as rife with irregularities and rotten with corruption. The AI system’s officials think that with AI doing both checking and marking, there will be more clarity, consistency, and fairness in the marking process.
DIG Waqas much more strongly predicted that the system will ‘robine the system of discretional corruption by making the assessment completely automatic’.
Why It Matters
If this is done correctly, the bold decision taken by Punjab to use AI to attempt not just the modernization of the public sector but the solving of complex governance issues means that there is no other area of the public sector which will not be transformed completely. It has the potential to make the issuing of licenses more efficient while saving time and improving road safety by making sure only qualified drivers are approved.
