Posted on 09/25/2013 5:26:59 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA
Drivers still need to be convinced to let go of the steering wheel and be taken to their destination, driver surveys say -- in spite of the fact that driverless technology is already in some cars. "I would say that most of what is going to come into these driverless cars is already there in present-day cars, for example night vision or lane departure warning [systems]," Prana Natarajan, team leader for Chassis & Safety at Frost & Sullivan.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
I’ve been ready for the last 3 years.
The prospect of my 15 year old son driving terrifies me, not because he’s irresponsible, but because he’s distractible...like me.
The local donut patrol and revenue squad aren’t ready for this! Can you imagine the huge drop in ticket revenue if driverless cars become common place.
So far, they are nothing more than a sophisticated cruise control, able to handle cruising on a non-complicated highway or street.
Will they be able to back you up out of your parking space in a mall, take you through the parking area to the access road, merge you into traffic, take you to your doctor’s office, navigate the parking area, park you safely?
Long way to go.
Great! Then big brother can just turn us off at the off ramp anytime they want to chat with us directly.
We’ll just be their slaves, even our cars’ steering will be under their ultimate control.
I can’t conceive of this being workable in a practical, congested-traffic situation.
And how many failures will it take to completely scare buyers away?
Of course, when you have an oppressive gov’t mandating what’s “best for you”, there may be no choice in the matter...
So, I’m guessing we’ll hear about a government program soon to provide those needy masses transportation they have a right to. The ObamaCar.....
As a motorcyclist, I am not happy about being put at risk of being run over by a driverless car.
Things are bad enough contending vehicles containing “responsible” operators - but when computers drive cars containing nothing but passengers, the excuse “but officer, I didn’t even SEE him” will take on a whole new meaning.
And they will be directed there by GPS.
How are driverless cars with pedestrians?
Good point. The reality is that self-driving vehicles are inevitable but will arrive in stages. The huge market is for trucks. With self-driving they can operate 24 hours per day hauling freight. Initially with a driver still attached for backup and to handle things like refueling, over time they’ll become fully automated. Cars will follow. Last will be passenger vehicles like buses, but mainly for the psychology.
> The local donut patrol and revenue squad aren’t ready for this! Can you imagine the huge drop in ticket revenue if driverless cars become common place.
No need to worry. The government will probably have an override hack built in there somewhere and will wheel you at 17 + mph right past their automated speeding cameras and right through some red light camera intersections at least twice a month on random days so you don’t catch on too quickly...: )
How agile are they?
I can’t imagine a car like that being able to cover for every contingency.
The Obama Car. I can just imagine.
- It comes out of nowhere.
- Needs a computer to tell it what to do.
- Keeps driving itself to the golf course.
- Blames someone else for its mistakes.
- Can only make a left turn.
Yeah I’ve had GPS directions that would driven me off the end of a bridge under repair and out of my way about 3 hours before. I wouldn’t trust it plus you know there will be overrides built in that they won’t tell you about. I can see the seatbelt locking and a siren going off inside as it drives me to the nearest IRS office because I haven’t paid my Obamacare premiums or penalties for the month yet.../s
I don’t want a driverless car!!! Technology and Society....this is where we hit a wall. There are just some things where I still like to have control and this is one of them.
Driverless cars are the future. If they can be perfected, we can eliminate traffic congestion.
Agreed.
And the inevitable glitches? Brings whole new meaning to “blue screen of death.”
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