Is it april fools day?

[designndrive62]

'An series for driverless electric cars is to support Formula E in the third season'

err... what?

http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2015/november/f...

Apparently they are going to have 10 teams of 20 cars (i will believe that when I see it) that 'race' in ONE HOUR long races for driverless cars going round as a support race for Formula E. I like formula E but I literally cannot think of anything more dull than this, and can;t quite believe its real. I don't get what sporting appeal this has at all in any way.

[marshalla]

Sponsored by Google and Tesla ?


ETA : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWwMKxOgpUM

Edited by marshalla on Friday 27th November 16:04

[Mini1275]

Wow, something more boring than Formula E.

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

Until I just read this post about them being 1 hour long, this could be quite entertaining. The first few races could just be cars driving themselves around like bad computer opponents in a computer game, just crashing into walls and getting stuck

[Emeye]

MyVTECGoesBwaaah said:

Until I just read this post about them being 1 hour long, this could be quite entertaining. The first few races could just be cars driving themselves around like bad computer opponents in a computer game, just crashing into walls and killing spectators.

Fixed that for you.

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

Emeye said:

MyVTECGoesBwaaah said:

Until I just read this post about them being 1 hour long, this could be quite entertaining. The first few races could just be cars driving themselves around like bad computer opponents in a computer game, just crashing into walls and killing spectators.

Fixed that for you.

I would be more worried about the marshalls, but I don't think they will be going fast enough at first. Maybe they could have someone watching the car with the job to cut power/override control if things go a bit awry - You could even call them a driver, maybe?

[RichB]

Why would they need marshals?

[cjs racing.]

Mini1275 said:

Wow, something more boring than Formula E.

Well they have to do something to try and make E look exciting.

[anonymous-user]

Unbelievable that they describe it as a 'sporting event'.

FE is bringing Motorsport into disrepute not to say making it a laughing stock.

[btcc123]

Apparently all these driverless cars will have a person walking in front of them waving a red flag.Joking aside how will they know when to overtake and how will it happen.I can see the cars just following each other around the track and at the end of the race the FIA president Jean Todt saying Fuing Hell that was exciting racing.

[MiniMan64]

What the deuce?

How does that work?

Is the race result and all the "action" just pre programmed?

[Emeye]

MyVTECGoesBwaaah said:

I would be more worried about the marshalls, but I don't think they will be going fast enough at first. Maybe they could have someone watching the car with the job to cut power/override control if things go a bit awry - You could even call them a driver, maybe?

I'm not so sure about not going fast - did you see that GPS BMW that a driver took around the track at full pelt and then the computer "recorded the run" and went full belt on its own - the difference between the suggested racing robot cars and other automated cars is that the track is known and constant, other than other cars on the track in the way....

[ooo000ooo]

Stick a model car body onto a roomba and set them loose

[E36GUY]

Emeye said:

I'm not so sure about not going fast - did you see that GPS BMW that a driver took around the track at full pelt and then the computer "recorded the run" and went full belt on its own - the difference between the suggested racing robot cars and other automated cars is that the track is known and constant, other than other cars on the track in the way....

That was Audi with the RS7 wasn't it? Very interesting to see a car drive itself like it's stolen but an actual racing series? I'd certainly watch the first one out of curiosity but I can't see it developing a long term fanbase with no driver to support. I suppose if it was a national thing tied to countries where you're supporting a team maybe. Nah. Still don't get it.


ETA - Audi Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol3g7i64RAI

[aeropilot]

1:1 scale Scalextric without the slots in the track.

Could be amusing for the crashes....

Otherwise, dull as dirty dishwater, and frankly, bloody pointless.

A sandal wearing geeks wet dream though I suppose....

[FunkyNige]

btcc123 said:

Apparently all these driverless cars will have a person walking in front of them waving a red flag.Joking aside how will they know when to overtake and how will it happen.I can see the cars just following each other around the track and at the end of the race the FIA president Jean Todt saying Fuing Hell that was exciting racing.

Works in computer games fine, even with identical cars they don't just follow each other round any more.

[andrewcliffe]

driverless cars could only be interesting if they were able to go at speeds that were beyond the capabilities of the human body and/or the cars were fitted with weaponry.

[Munter]

andrewcliffe said:

driverless cars could only be interesting if they were able to go at speeds that were beyond the capabilities of the human body and/or the cars were fitted with weaponry.

Well they have to start somewhere.

It looks like an exersize in technology, strategy, and clever code. Interesting on an academic level, but it's hard to get emotional about it.

I guess if you put a Ford badge on one and Holden on another and held the race in Australia that might work...

[RichB]

As far as I'm concerned a sport involves a test of skill and effort by a sportsperson. This may well be a test of intellect for the techno-geeks and programmers but it's not sport so it ain't motorsport . Move on...