Philosophy of Photography
Volume 9 Number 2
© 2018 Intellect Ltd Article. English language. doi: 10.1386/pop.9.2.195_1
POP 9 (2) pp. 195–216 Intellect Limited 2018
195
SARAH PINK
Monash University
VAIKE FORS AND THOMAS LINDGREN
Halmstad University
Emerging technologies and anticipatory
images: Uncertain ways of knowing with
automated and connected mobilities
Abstract
In this article we outline two different ways of ‘seeing’ autonomous driving (AD) cars. The first corresponds
with the technological innovation narrative, published in online industry, policy, business and other news
contexts, that pitches AD cars as the solution to societal problems, and urges users to trust and accept them
so that such benefits can be accrued. The second is a narrative of everyday improvisation, which was visual-
ized through our video ethnography and participant mapping exercises. Our research, undertaken in Sweden,
involved possible future everyday users of AD cars. We argue for a research and intervention agenda that
examines how the visual narration of how AD cars might participate in human futures, could be shifted to
create new modes of trust and reassurance for publics.
Keywords
design anthropology
futures
visual ethnography
photography
video
emerging technologies
self-driving
(autonomous
driving) cars
everyday life