Self-driving cars...

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

nobody misses the typewriter or fax machine.

Sorry bro, that ain't the correct analogy.
For me, its more akin to losing the pen.

I can see advantages of motorways/freeways in town.
Particularly as insurance companies have a vested interest to reduce their expense claims on nose to tail incidents so no doubt they will loby away.

On principle, I'm against most all things that enables the dumbing down humanity.
Eg: Blind spot indicators, self park assist, abs, traction control... Blah, blah, blah... the list goes on. It's all done under the guise of "safety" but has exactly the opposite effect.

I hate knowing that I have to share the road with someone who will become conditioned to not even bother turning their head to check their blind spot, and lack the basic skills to park their car, or brake safely in an emergency, or even accelerate without spinning their wheels.

[Buzz]

I understand where you're coming from, with the loss of reliance on real human skills, but where do you draw the distinction between that concern vs. the tangible benefits of technological advances that really do make things better? You have ABS on your list - would you also have opposed disc brakes, power steering, EFI, paddle shifters, GPS, Doppler Radar, the Internet, matches and Kevlar body armor?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Buzz

I understand where you're coming from, with the loss of reliance on real human skills, but where do you draw the distinction between that concern vs. the tangible benefits of technological advances that really do make things better? You have ABS on your list - would you also have opposed disc brakes, power steering, EFI, paddle shifters, GPS, Doppler Radar, the Internet, matches and Kevlar body armor?

Everyone is going to have a different measure. My car of choice is a cobra for a reason. It purposefully lacks bells and whistles that Bing and chime, like when you leave your keys in or lights on or don't do your seatbelt up... I'm big on taking responsibility.

So for mine:
disc brakes - not opposed.
power steering - not opposed
EFI - not opposed (not opposed to electric powered motor cars either).
Paddle shifters - yes opposed. They're ridiculous in anything other than an F1 car.
GPS - yes opposed. Seriously, they cause more accidents than you think.
Doppler Radar - not on principle, yes on implementation.
Internet - sometimes.
matches - not opposed, that said, I know people who can't use them either
Kevlar body amour - not required where I live... Yet! We don't have shootings on a daily basis. However due to our legal systems not dealing with criminals anywhere near harsh enough, they may become a future requirement.

[fordracing65]

I just want a Google car to pick me up and drive me to work everyday while it sit in the back... and I will drive my cobra any other time, on the non Google streets...

[DanEC]

It will be interesting when four self-driving cars arrive at a 4-way Stop sign intersection at the same time.

Will they know what to do when they arrive at a controlled light intersection when the controls are out and Police are directing traffic.

Will they pull over when a funeral possession is approaching?

Will they know not to drive into a flooded underpass (submarine technology?)?

Will they try to avoid running over turtles in the road in the spring?

Will they dodge, tire shredding potholes in Detroit?

When it's snowing will they know to speed up before the hill in order to have enough speed to carry itself over the crest before spinning to a stop. Or as soon as it detects moisture and temps of 32 and below will it just pull into the nearest parking lot and shut down to hibernate?

Will a squirrel crossing the road in front of them send their computer into a psychotic conniption fit?

Will they pause for panhandlers at intersections approaching the door or drive off?

Can they be programmed to park out in the far areas of the parking lot at Walmart to avoid all the housewife and kids banging up your doors and running shopping carts into your pride and joy?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

Just had a thought - I should have Googled these questions.

[Jaydee]

Scarier thought are driverless semi trailer trucks. What if a big moth hits the camera lens. Does it hit the brakes?
If you break the windscreen in one of the auto braking cars, like Subaru. You have to have a genuine windscreen fitted and the cameras calibrated.
I remember a funny story years ago, someone rented a motor-home with cruise control. So he set it, and went in the back to make a cup of coffee. He hit a tree, and successfully sued the company for not explaining it properly.

JD

[Bernica]

So, when I roll up on one of these in my car, what do they do?
Just pull over, I hope....