GPS may not be as accurate as it would need to be to keep cars not only on the road, but in the right lane. My son was watching some eposide of that show *Top Gear *a while back, where they were supposed to drive around using only GPS (all the windows were blacked out). They could barely keep the cars on the roads, but the GPS kept indicating they were fine and kept issuing directions.
They have a way to go, but it could happen, someday.
You could fix the GPS issues by having ground stations that broadcast the GPS position error to any vehicles in the area.
Personally I would only ride in one if I had the ability to over-ride the car’s control
There’s going to be a tremendous amount of even more valuable electronic driver assistance coming our way in the very near future. I have absolutely no doubt about that. I see great suggestions for new applications of technology all the time, but I can’t talk about them here with you guys. Even if it’s already publicly disclosed, I’m hesitant to discuss any aspect of the technology because it wouldn’t be prudent of me. And I’m not saying I know more about the up and coming technology than everyone else here. I’m sure I don’t.
But I can’t see completely self-driving cars on public roadways in my future. It doesn’t make sense on the balance sheet according to my legal and technological experience.
That’s what they said about horseless carriages way back when.
Did they? I must have missed that.
The cars already assume all obstacles are to be avoided or compensated for. They already react much faster than human beings.
Steering out of trouble is going to aim for open space, remember the cars are 360 degree aware and will find an opening and aim for it faster than a human being. If they see a situation with a ton of variables approaching 300 feet out, they will slow down.
One of the standard ways to develop any piece of highly automated heavy equipment is “if you cant solve the problem, stop now, and notify operator”
You just haven’t thought it all the way through yet.
Don’t think the liability is going to work out that way. You will still be liable for your cars actions just like you are liable for your teenaged children (I’ll bet on the car).
I am betting you will see some kind of legislation akin to the good samaritan act giving software vendors immunity to this kind of lawsuit under most circumstances. Once we start racking up millions of driving miles on autopilot the bugs will begin to show, and the buying public will tend to select the ones “least likely to get me in trouble” So if 5 companies make GPS autopilot software and average 500K, 550K, 600K, 750K, and 900K miles per incident. the one making the 900K version is going to be the one people seek to buy.
no, I have, most people operate under the assumption that these cars will work like general purpose computers. A better analogy would be dealing with advanced programmable logic controllers and embedded systems. Granted, they are not bulletproof, but they are orders of magnitude more stable than a typical home user windows box.
Please state the nature of the transportation emergency…
I’m sure there were plenty of naysayers saying a well trained horse was better because it would react to things the rider/wagon driver might not even see.
I find it amusing in general that many people when presented with such technology make demands that the alternatives could never achieve. The prototypes have zero accidents under automated control and at worst will still be safer than human drivers, will not exceed speed limits, won’t do tricks to impress girlfriends, won’t run red lights and can drive you home drunk off your ass without killing anyone. the car doesn’t get tired, bored, distracted, etc.
I’m quite sure the world of trucking is watching this and drooling over trucks that can drive for longer hours and or drive safely in conditions like tule fog with fewer incidents.
I would be curious how law enforcement will react to this. Wide deployment of self driving cars will cut heavily into traffic citations. Granted I don’t think any police officers really enjoy traffic duty, but I would be fascinated to watch the balance of enforcement and automation.
I think that will always be an option. In fact, I suspect we’ll first see the tech rolled out only for use on interstates and such, with drivers resuming manual control in populated areas. Full automation won’t happen until all the kinks are worked out.
Stop where? On the railway tracks? Just around the corner on a blind curve? In front of an ambulance on a narrow lane? On someone’s foot? In the middle of an intersection? In front of an approaching fire?
I voted probably not. First, I prefer to have control of the vehicle because Second, I get motion sickness when I am a passenger.
And because I really am a car nut. Love cars that handle well and respond to my input.
I already drive in a car that does a lot of that stuff now. It has adaptive cruise control. Breaks for you, will stop if your rolling. Will keep you in it’s lane if you drift. It pushes back on the pedal if you are using too much gas in certain modes. Some other safety features. Has cameras all around. It’s awesome and one of the reasons why I bought an Infiniti Jx.
Self-driven car? Hold on, sister. Before we go there, where the heck is my completely impractical flying car that I’ve been promised for over 30 years? And yes, I do think it’s worth the daily rain of metallic, fiery death. 
Seriously, yes, yes, a thousand times yes, I would ride in a self-driven car, today if I had the opportunity. After 14 years of commuting 100 miles a day, I’d gladly take my chances. How much more dangerous could it be than my current pattern of almost falling asleep behind the wheel at least once a week?
That’s why I was honestly surprised to read MacTech’s wall of no response. Currently the market is speaking that these sorts of vehicle autonomy driver enhancements (advanced driver assistance systems, ADAS) are desirable, just not yet at an acceptable price point for many outside of the higher end segment. (Personally I was somewhat disappointed that my new car’s only option of that sort was the autopark bit, which I could care less about. If it had offered the adaptive cruise control or pre-collision features I’d have gladly sprung some more money.)
Human drivers do the same thing all the time, even with a human brain that can choose not to.. Human driver takes control, deals with the situation, the reactivates auto drive.
Via interfacing with systems like opticom self driving cars could easily be trained to respond appropriately to approaching emergency vehicles.
I used to drive ambulance, I understand many of your concerns, I just think there has already been too much success to be dismissive of a technology that will make a huge difference in how we tend to travel. I personally do not enjoy driving, its a means to an end. If my truck could drive itself and I could just do my work, answer my calls and not worry about doing the driving, sign me up.
I would happily go to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Las Vegas more often if I did not have to do the actual driving. Watch a movie, talk on the phone, play a game, make out with the g/f…
another thing I have been finding myself pondering.
How might changes in vehicle design come about with alot of automated cars.
Since actually driving the car will be a minor part of the issue will there be a reduced focus on things like positioning of seating, mirrors, etc.
Will passenger cars end up more like limos with a ring of seating all around and a small station where you can control the car manually for the occasional times you need it.
sometime in the next 20 to 25 years, I expect to give up my license due to age.
By then, I expect to be able to own a self-driving car or simply summon one to my home for a trip to the store.