Definition:
A Black Box is a data recording device used to capture critical information about an event, typically in vehicles, aircraft, or computing systems, to aid in accident analysis and performance monitoring.
What is a Black Box?
A Black Box, also known as an Event Data Recorder (EDR) in vehicles or a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) in aviation, is a system that records key operational data before, during, and after an incident. In cars, the Black Box captures details such as speed, acceleration, braking, airbag deployment, and seatbelt usage, providing valuable insights into accidents. In airplanes, it records flight parameters, cockpit conversations, and engine performance to assist in crash investigations. Beyond transportation, Black Boxes are also used in cybersecurity and AI systems to track decision-making processes, helping in debugging, transparency, and compliance.
Use Cases of Black Box:
- Vehicle Accident Investigation: Helps determine causes of crashes by recording speed, braking, and impact forces.
- Aviation Safety & Crash Analysis: Stores flight data and cockpit audio for post-incident analysis.
- Fleet & Insurance Monitoring: Used in commercial vehicles to assess driver behavior and improve safety.
- AI & Machine Learning Explainability: Tracks decision-making in AI models to ensure fairness and accountability.
- Cybersecurity & System Logging: Records critical system events to analyze failures, breaches, or unauthorized access.
