Welcome to the world of tomorrow! (driverless cars)

[Melonfish]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18012812

Nice link here on the bbc news about driver-less cars, now am i the only one who gets a case of the screaming heebie jeebies with this?
i wonder how they'll take into account cyclists, horses, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users?
citing the google car "Google's car adheres strictly to the speed limit and follows the rules of the road,"
what about those road users that simply don't? interesting to see how they plan to implement this.
i think i remember stuff about this as far back as 'Tomorrow's World' on TV heh.
pete

 

[PBancroft]

I'm quietly optimistic about this (but then I'm a bit of a Google fanboi and occasional apologist) but so far they've apparently had one accident, when the car was under the control of the Google employee (e.g., not driverless) and it was hit from behind.

Theoretically they should take non-car hazards into consideration better than normal cars, because they can look everywhere at once and deceide on the best course of action - avoidance, stopping, etc.

I don't see them completely replacing driver vehicles, but for people commuting, driving long distances etc., then yes.

 

[asterix]

As far as those who like driving are concerned a potential 'problem' is the reduction in collisions. If driverless vehicles prove to be considerably safer than driven vehicles then try getting insurance for driving yourself!

Another plus for safer vehicles is that they can be made differently. Without collisions, reinforced body work and airbags will be unnecessary. Vehicles can be lighter and more fuel efficient. It's a given that a computer will control a vehicle in a more fuel-efficient manner than even a careful driver let alone your average happy-go-lucky motorist. Fuel efficiency will become ever more important.

Maybe cars for self-drive will still be available at a premium, but eventually the point will be lost.

 

[palinurus]

People are, in general, shoot at driving. I welcome the robots.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

i wonder how they'll take into account cyclists, horses, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users?

It can't be any worse than the average driver anyway!

 

[fossyant]

[QUOTE 1843006, member: 9609"]Absolutely brilliant, a driver-less camper van, could go on tour with the bike and every evening email the van my position and it could catch me up with all my stuff! Tour across europe on the bike with all my home comforts every evening I want one now.[/quote]

Noooo, better still you could tell it where you will be in two hours for a fill up on munchies. Then it could go to the camp site and park up, and get the BBQ on (OK bit far fetched).

Well a driverless car can't be much worse than one with a driver in it.

 

[david1701]

[QUOTE 1843006, member: 9609"]Absolutely brilliant, a driver-less camper van, could go on tour with the bike and every evening email the van my position and it could catch me up with all my stuff! Tour across europe on the bike with all my home comforts every evening I want one now.[/quote]

isn't it called a wife....

but I think driverless cars are the future, most people are very very stupid and those bright enough to work the controls will get bored pretty quickly (my excuse anyway....)

 

[2Loose]

I've been following Google on this since they got caught using it well before they even asked the authorities lol. It has many positive implications, but the best two IMHO are that eventually insurance won't be required and also the owner really could be literally blind.

 

[classic33]

If one was involved in an accident & the person "behind the wheel"(they haven't completly removed the human element, yet) was drunk. What would happen? Or, if it got a speeding ticket due to temporary speed restrictions & you as the registered owner got a letter asking you to name the driver at the time!

 

[smokeysmoo]

If they're going to be that good I can see a glut of head cams appearing on eBay.

I hope they don't materialise TBH. After all, MatthewT will have no-one to fall out with will he

 

[classic33]

http://singularityhub.com/2012/05/0...-car-as-it-receives-first-autonomous-license/

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

eventually insurance won't be required

No more Meerkat and Go Compare adverts??

HOORAY!!