# How does an autonomous car decide which parking space I want? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 19, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137 "2016-12-19T15:32:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/21 "2016-12-19T22:30:11Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Self driving cars won’t replace your personal car. They’ll replace taxis, which will replace your personal car. Do taxis drop you off in enormous parking lots? No. Part of the benefit of self driving cars is that we get to eliminate parking lots! There’s a continuum between a car with autonomous driving capability when required (Otherwise, you can drive it yourself) to almost personalized public transit, where you call up self-propelled vehicles have dedicated rights of way and can pick up and drop you off in a range of destinations unimpeded by pedestrians or human-piloted vehicles. there was a recent article about carmakers worried about computer-controlled vehicles being “bullied” by human drivers taking advantage of their literal adherence to laws and safety measures and safe distances. Or one fellow mentioned that he “took control” of his car to swerve into the other lane as it arrived behind a double-parked delivery vehicle “because otherwise it would just sit there waiting instead of changing lanes”. And the classic question - would a computer controlled car choose your life over several pedestrians if it had to make a decision? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/22 "2016-12-19T22:55:07Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Maybe the car would drop you off at the door, and then, who cares where it parks? This is how it will work. No one ever needs to walk from the parking lot to the store again. The car will drop you off at the closest entrance to the store you ask for. So, you tell the car JC Penny’s at the mall. It drops you off at the closest entrance. You call the car. I’m at Red Robin with packages. It goes to that mall entrance, opens the trunk, and says hello! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/23 "2016-12-19T23:06:12Z")
> [@albino\_manatee](#): > > i have seen documentaries relating to this … and have no problem embracing this environment … long as there is an option/request for a non-smoker vehicle. And I can still use the passenger foot area as my personal trash can. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/24 "2016-12-19T23:21:47Z")
So…what year do you predict that the US government will no longer allow non-autonomous cars to be produced and sold (as new cars) in the US? I highly doubt that non-autonomous cars will be outlawed, but by eliminating their production and sale in the US, much like other mandated safety features, that the number of non-autonomous cars will dwindle and become fewer and fewer and eventually antique cars. So when do you believe this mandate will occur if ever? I’d guess 2040. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/25 "2016-12-20T04:37:42Z")
> [@albino\_manatee](#): > > i have seen documentaries relating to this … and have no problem embracing this environment … long as there is an option/request for a non-smoker vehicle. And a clean vehicle in general…one without an ice cream cone upside down on the seat. Who is going to check all these driverless vehicles between riders? Or will you just have to report an unfit car when it arrives and then order another one? ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/26 "2016-12-20T04:42:31Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In other words, because the founders did not write an amendment guaranteeing the right to bear vehicles, they’re taking them away from us. Without a whimper of protest from the car nuts. “When you pry the steering wheel from my cold dead fingers”…I can hear it now. When the authorities start trying to limit where human drivers can drive, for safety and efficiency reasons, it will get political real quick. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/27 "2016-12-20T04:47:51Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I’d still like to know how the cars will differentiate between a grocery bag blowing across the road, and a child running out into traffic. They will slow down (stop if necessary) and/or steer around any obstacle in the road. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/28 "2016-12-20T04:50:19Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So…what year do you predict that the US government will no longer allow non-autonomous cars to be produced and sold (as new cars) in the US? > > I highly doubt that non-autonomous cars will be outlawed, but by eliminating their production and sale in the US, much like other mandated safety features, that the number of non-autonomous cars will dwindle and become fewer and fewer and eventually antique cars. So when do you believe this mandate will occur if ever? > > I’d guess 2040. I’ll go with the opposite angle - more and more streets - especially high speed expressways - will ban human-controlled cars. As self-drive starts to take advantage of computer control, things like merge and traffic lights will be handled precisely. No need for a traffic signal as cars negotiate right of way with minimal slowdown zooming through crossroads or left turns, just missing cross traffic. A human in that environment is a hazard… not to the self-drives but because there’s a risk they will encounter another human and assume it is another computer controlled vehicle. First will be the ban on cars without transponders and active avoidance on some roads. Then will come the ban on human control altogether. Eventually you’ll be limited to a few suburban and isolated rural roads’ maybe human vehicles will have to have a flashing red light on top to warn other humans. Then the transponders will disable your car if you try to use computer roads. We won’t even talk about the ability to do variable tolls based on miles and traffic levels… ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/29 "2016-12-20T12:47:44Z")
Somewhat related: these past few weeks, my Android phone has started detecting when I enter a mall and putting up a notification listing the various shops inside. This may be a first step to build up their data on where the Radio Shack is located inside the mall, so that eventually their cars will know where to park or which door to use. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/30 "2016-12-20T13:01:48Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Self driving cars won’t replace your personal car. They’ll replace taxis, which will replace your personal car. Do taxis drop you off in enormous parking lots? No. Part of the benefit of self driving cars is that we get to eliminate parking lots! My personal car isn’t just transportation. It’s also [George Carlin Voice] a place for my stuff[/GCV]. If I’m running multiple errands it’s not practical, and in some cases it’s not even possible to carry everything on my person for the entire trip. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/31 "2016-12-20T13:25:20Z")
In [del]Soviet Russia[/del] Google America, parking space chooses you! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/32 "2016-12-20T13:44:32Z")
Voice command or touch screen interface seem to be the obvious answer. “park over there next to the blue jeep” would allow one to select the desired spot, but then again get dropped off by the door and let the car park itself, or go to a gas station while you are away, smart phone command for it to be picked up. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/33 "2016-12-20T14:27:25Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I have visions of a downtown Manhattan full of empty cars just circling the blocks in holding patterns waiting for their master. Gas or electricity is cheaper than downtown parking. In other words, self-driving cars will, among other things, make traffic congestion much worse. [5 ways driverless cars will soon make your life hell](http://www.cracked.com/article_24390_5-ways-driverless-cars-will-soon-make-your-life-hell.html) (see #4) > [@dofe](#): > > Think of how much money car ownership costs in terms of the actual time we spend using it. In an average 24 hour day, my car sits in a parking space/garage more than 23 hours – that means I only use it less than 5% of the time. Multiply that by the millions of people who own cars, and the amount of wasted potential is staggering. Autonomous cars that can drop us off and pick us up on request will likely change that type of thinking, and we’re probably going to see a completely new type of car “ownership” experience that’s closer to car sharing where the car can be used by another person instead of sitting in a parking space. [Not all of us want strangers using our cars,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=808065) even if it reduces our cost of ownership. I don’t mind driving rental cars of uncertain provenance, but my car is MY car; I don’t want to have to take my iPod out of the center console every time I get out, and whatever else I might have in the trunk (e.g. emergency winter clothing). All the scratches and stains on it are mine; I can afford to own a car all on my own without putting up with unknown people using it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/34 "2016-12-20T14:40:52Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > And a clean vehicle in general…one without an ice cream cone upside down on the seat. Who is going to check all these driverless vehicles between riders? Or will you just have to report an unfit car when it arrives and then order another one? I believe that’s how it works for Zipcar. You report that the car you just rented is messy so the company contacts the previous renter. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/35 "2016-12-20T15:11:13Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > And a clean vehicle in general…one without an ice cream cone upside down on the seat. Who is going to check all these driverless vehicles between riders? Or will you just have to report an unfit car when it arrives and then order another one? As soon as you order a car the company knows who you are, where you live, etc. Interior cameras and microphones will record your activity inside the car. If a car arrives dirty or damaged you will just click a button and that car will return for maintenance billed to the previous rider and another call will arrive for you. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/36 "2016-12-20T15:51:06Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > As soon as you order a car the company knows who you are, where you live, etc. Interior cameras and microphones will record your activity inside the car. If a car arrives dirty or damaged you will just click a button and that car will return for maintenance billed to the previous rider and another call will arrive for you. That system would work flawlessly, if you assume a threshold for “dirty” that all riders can recognize. However, consider the following scenario. First rider, A, eats in the car and spills some mustard on the seat. B, riding next, doesn’t notice the mustard or doesn’t really care. Then C notices the stain, hits the report button, and B will be charged for cleaning the mustard stain. And if this sort of scenario is known by all riders, then it will make everybody more prone to report tiny little problems, because if they don’t report they become liable. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/37 "2016-12-20T15:53:53Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I’ll go with the opposite angle - more and more streets - especially high speed expressways - will ban human-controlled cars. As self-drive starts to take advantage of computer control, things like merge and traffic lights will be handled precisely. No need for a traffic signal as cars negotiate right of way with minimal slowdown zooming through crossroads or left turns, just missing cross traffic. Motorcycles and bicycles. And considering that “traffic signals” include pedestrian crossing signals, pedestrians. > [@](#): > > A human in that environment is a hazard… not to the self-drives but because there’s a risk they will encounter another human and assume it is another computer controlled vehicle. Motorcycles and bicycles. > [@](#): > > First will be the ban on cars without transponders and active avoidance on some roads. Motorcycles and bicycles. > [@](#): > > Then will come the ban on human control altogether. Motorcycles and bicycles. > [@](#): > > Eventually you’ll be limited to a few suburban and isolated rural roads’ maybe human vehicles will have to have a flashing red light on top to warn other humans. Motorcycles and bicycles. > [@](#): > > Then the transponders will disable your car if you try to use computer roads. Motorcycles and bicycles. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/38 "2016-12-20T16:00:10Z")
Is your keyboard stuck? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/39 "2016-12-20T16:02:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Is your keyboard stuck? No, but it seems that the idea that only motor vehicles (cars & trucks) use the road is. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137/40 "2016-12-20T16:06:25Z")
The post by **md2000** to which you replied mentioned “high speed expressways”. Generally, bicycles are not permitted on these and it’s possible that human-driven motorcycles would also not be permitted, in a future in which the vast majority of powered vehicles are self driving. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-autonomous-car-decide-which-parking-space-i-want/775137.md?page=3)