Protected by plastic bollards sounds like a false term/advertising. The folding plastic bollards wouldn’t even stop a wheelbarrow, let alone a car. The bollards are about as effective at protecting as paint is. These bollards do however make the lane more visible. A better term might be something like “a bike lane designated by plastic bollards.”
Yea I’m not too keen on giving authorization to hit pedestrians. If I feel threatened in my car, I am not allowed to run over the person so why should a driverless car gain that right? And if the panic button is going to call the police, how is that any different from the passenger using their phone to contact police? Seems like extra steps of middlemen and confusion when the passenger could just call once they feel the need.
I could defintely see a case for some extra safety features that help keep the doors locked and shut, maybe thicker windows too if needed to prevent robberies/assaults.