Ian Somerhalder: 'The Vampire Diaries' actor shares view on technology of self-driving cars

“The Vampire Diaries” actor Ian Somerhalder shows that he is a keen advocate of animal rights, conservation and green energy through the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, or ISF. Somerhalder, 36, expresses his support for electric cars because of his enthusiasm with green energy, but he reportedly still has apprehensions when it comes to the technology of self-driving or unmanned cars.

Somerhalder revealed to CNET News editor-in-chief Connie Guglielmo the reason he wants self-driving cars to work and be faultless. “Clearly it's an ingenious idea but it also is tech. Tech does fail,” Somerhalder, who took a break from filming "The Vampire Diaries" in Atlanta, Georgia, told CNET.

Somerhalder believes that people will still be fine if tech fails on devices and apps. However, a tech failure involving weight at velocity becomes a whole different story especially if it will harm his wife Nikki Reed and his family in the future.

“I'm just thinking about being at work and my wife being on the way to the set with our kid or kids and dogs in the car at a stoplight totally aware of what's going on. And some unmanned car is coming by and there's a glitch in the system or there's a firmware issue or there's a satellite issue. Anything new like that is a bit scary,” Somerhalder explained.

Somerhalder has admitted that he would love for the car technology to unfold because the unmanned cars and drone technology can change the world in a very convenient way. However, Somerhalder begs the people who are going to benefit financially to not rush into it.

The former “Lost” star is aware that people need technology as well as smart governance in technology. Somerhalder admits he lives for tech even though he would love to get on his horse or walk in a field with his wife because technology is the future.

“I just want to humanize tech and I want tech to humanize us. If we just build the next generation to be hyperaware of their use of technology and remain human, we're going to be OK,” Somerhalder stated.

Meanwhile, fans can watch Ian Somerhalder reprise the role of vampire Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries” Season 7.

In the new season of the CW TV series, Damon will carry on with his life without Elena Gilbert, played by Nina Dobrev, by his side while dealing with the return of his Ripper mother, Lily (Annie Wersching), and the presence of the vampire-witch Heretics in Mystic Falls.

“The Vampire Diaries” Season 7 will premiere on Thursday night, Oct. 8, at 8/7c on the CW Network.

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