ISLAMABAD: A remotely operated car crashed into a police van at D-Chowk, Islamabad, after an apparent technical failure caused by an internet connectivity disruption, with a video of the incident going viral on social media.
The video, shared by journalist Muhammad Aalijah, shows him sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle while explaining its automated-driving features. As the car moves forward, its remotely controlled steering system suddenly appears to malfunction, causing the vehicle to veer towards a police van parked nearby.
Aalijah can be seen attempting to stop the vehicle by pulling the handbrake, but his efforts prove unsuccessful and the car collides with the police van.
Speaking to Dawn, Aalijah said he had been asked by technology enthusiast Ehsan Zafar of Abbottabad to report on his technology-based automated-driving project.
According to Aalijah, the vehicle was being operated remotely through an internet connection. He said everything was functioning normally until the connection was disrupted, after which the car became uncontrollable and struck the police vehicle.
In a subsequent social media post, Aalijah clarified that the purpose of the video was not to defame or target the young innovator but to highlight the importance of safety while testing emerging technologies.
He said the vehicle’s remote-control system was not yet “completely safe and reliable” and urged innovators to ensure that new technologies are thoroughly tested before being deployed in public areas.
Aalijah noted that the incident occurred at D-Chowk, a high-security location where traffic was relatively light. He warned that a similar technical failure on a busy road could have resulted in serious injuries or even fatalities.
He described the video as a “message of caution” rather than criticism, stressing that experimentation and innovation should continue, but safety must remain the top priority.
The video has since attracted widespread attention on social media. While some users praised the effort to showcase local technological talent, others responded with humorous comments about the unexpected crash.
The incident has also sparked discussion about the safety measures and fail-safe mechanisms required for remotely operated and autonomous vehicles, particularly when such technology is tested in public spaces.
Story by Ali Akber
