Self Driving Cars

[Baldwinvette77]

I not sure how this will work out, but if the car can drive my drunk ass home from the bar legally, more power to it. 

[Ghoste]

True, but a cab can do that too.

[Tilar]

I not sure how this will work out, but if the car can drive my drunk ass home from the bar legally, more power to it. 

Unless you can teach that thing to put your drunk ass in the car and start itself and then take you home, Johnny law will still find a way to fine you for it.

[polywideblock]

what people are missing is that it's not for going for a drive in the country or to the next state to see relatives. its for the morning commute ,running kids to school  ,going shopping (you know that hour or so you sit in the car and scream at the guy in front/side of you). just think if you could go to work be dropped off and car takes its self home for wifey to use (take kids to school do shopping) and then just tot along in time to be there waiting for you in the afternoon . yes public transport does that now,  but come on  be honest   who's got on one of those smelly   germ infested   buses or trains that your all spaying " catch a bus/train ?  unless unemployed and penniless no way! even then i'll walk . seems someone else is a little bit antisocial and would like their own "space " while traveling to work    

[Ghoste]

When I lived in larger urban centers, I used the bus and the train many times.  Nearly every day in fact.  And when I visit one of those areas now, if I drive in, the first thing I do is park my car where I am staying and use the mass transit as much as possible.  Easy and cheap.  So yes, I still support that position.

[dyslexic teddybear]

Have seen a similar discussion on another forum......

From the info I got there, there's some huge issues to be solved. A quick sum up, best chance of it working would be in limited access, dedicated commuter lanes. I don't remember all the down sides that were discussed......but one of, if not the major one, was it would not mix well with non self-drivers. For it to really be efficient, the cars had to "talk" to each other.

Wasn't interested enough to really study it......it's not something I want to see.  

[ws23rt]

Most of us that are older than our chargers will remember that driving somewhere many times was the end in itself.

Cars that were made for fun driving caused road trips.  There seems little room for that in urban areas these days.

If driving becomes a chore than it may as well be done by the car

I agree that self driving cars would not mix well with those trying to control one themselves. With safety as a concern and lawyers needing work I see a transition as a very long complicated process

[polywideblock]

they could share the bus lane with busses and pushbikes    ,keeps them all where we know were they are   

[TruckDriver]

Everyone that thinks it's a good idea until there is a glitch in the GPS system, and it crashes. Needless to say, a lot of people would die then if that happened. I think it is a dumb idea. Actually scares me a bit.

[JB400]

In some ways, I can see this as a good idea for the benefits already mentioned, and those that can't drive anymore because of old age or weak eyes.  However, I believe this will be a fad, much like the micro car craze in the 50's.  There will be those that want one because it's the newest and greatest thing since sliced bread.  But, with cars that take the human element out of driving, I think the insurance industry will put in its  and then some more, and prevent these from taking hold.  With more and more cars like these out on the road, accidents will be less likely, thus no need for auto insurance.  It'd be hard on them to increase their rates if no claims were made.  They'd have to depend more on human controlled vehicles to get their money from.  Considering the pull the insurance companies have, I doubt that they will allow too many of these on the road.

If these are allowed on the road, and the technology is allowed to progress, I say we'll all end up with vehicles that look like Smartcars that will link together like a train for aerodynamics, but will break away to allow each person to go where they need to go.  I predict that roads in a traditional sense will disappear and we'll end up with something like a maglev train track.  The days of going for a drive on an old country road will be gone.  This might be the future in the next 100 years assuming that there is no apocalypse that will disrupt human technological progression.  Time will tell.

For me personally, I'd rather drive.  The wow factor of jumping behind the wheel of an automobile and seeing the world at a moments notice is still there for me.  I guess it's the factors that I can control, makes it exciting.  The ones I can't control 

[Mike DC]

I agree the practical problems with self-drivers would probably limit it to controlled areas full of other self-drivers only. 


But it would be great for the trucking industry. 

Give them their own lanes on the highway separate from the rest of us self-drivers. They could also set up trucks with less maneuverability because they wouldn't be dodging regular drivers.  They could increase the amount of trailers being pulled by one tractor, like they do in Australia and other places.

Develop this stuff far enough, and you have . . . trains!  What a concept!  The cutting edge of cargo moving in the 19th century!   

[Fred]

True, but a cab can do that too.

Yeah but cabs cost money.  

I not sure how this will work out, but if the car can drive my drunk ass home from the bar legally, more power to it. 

On the other hand, you'll still get into trouble if you're drunk......even if you let the car drive you home. You have to sit behind the wheel at all times (you can't be a passenger) and you're still the person responsible for the car, in other words, you're in charge.........but you can't be if you're drunk.

[Ghoste]

Yes cabs do cost money, but I'm willing to bet my life savings these SDC things won't be free.