Driverless cars in the UK

[CrutyRammers]

IanCress said:

CrutyRammers said:

I suspect that one of the first things to become driverless will be lorries. Big companies will be able to make massive savings, and have the cash to make the investment.

I can picture the lorry drivers strike already, along with the Motorway blockades!

In theory, eventually humans could be emancipated from a lot of the drudgery of work by automation, and have a great deal more free time. But it's hard to see a way to get there without a great deal of disturbance (job losses, particularly amongst the low-skilled). Much like the Industrial Revolution I suppose.

[T1berious]

"Google kills car industry!"

Nope. I really don't think so. I can see this technology being adopted as an option (Not really sure most people are ready for an automated trip over the alps) on premium cars in the future or a replacement for cabs in cities but a replacement for all cars everywhere? No way.

Emergency services, the military, government vehicles, construction companies the list is pretty extensive of large companies that will still rely on manually controlled vehicles.

Plus most people like personalised transport.

Couldn't imagine getting up to the UK's second favourite in car entertainment and the thing going to it's next destination mid stroke as it were.

I guess you could argue the earth did move

[lamboman100]

T1berious said:

"Google kills car industry!"

Nope. I really don't think so. I can see this technology being adopted as an option (Not really sure most people are ready for an automated trip over the alps) on premium cars in the future or a replacement for cabs in cities but a replacement for all cars everywhere? No way.

Emergency services, the military, government vehicles, construction companies the list is pretty extensive of large companies that will still rely on manually controlled vehicles.

Plus most people like personalised transport.

Couldn't imagine getting up to the UK's second favourite in car entertainment and the thing going to it's next destination mid stroke as it were.

I guess you could argue the earth did move

Taxi, delivery, motorbike, buggy, ambulance, van, truck, tank, bus, coach, train, metro, tube drivers, airline and helicopter pilots are toast.

By 2030, all those jobs will be in decline in developed countries like the UK.

They will be replaced by computers, robots, drones and remote drivers / pilots.

Already in the US, drone-pilot schools / universities are booming like crazy. The UK always follows the US.

[V41LEY]

Once the technology is proven, there will be massive demand for this product. It will be a bad day for car designers who will be replaced by interior designers. With a self propelled box - you can design the inside however you like. Don't think the premium brands won't want a piece of the action either.

[Dog Star]

CrutyRammers said:

In theory, eventually humans could be emancipated from a lot of the drudgery of work by automation, and have a great deal more free time.

The problem is that I don't see it being "free time"; they won't be liberated, they'll simply be jobless.

I used to think in my naivety that all these computers and robots would mean we'd all live in some utopian paradise of huge living standards for all. The reality is that that there will be massive poverty at the bottom of the heap and the bloke that owns the company that makes robot cars will be a zillionaire.

[GSE]

This reminds me of the classic 1973 Woody Allen film "Sleeper"



He goes into hospital in 1973 for a minor op, but wakes up in 2173 after being cryogenically frozen for 200 years. Sex has been replaced by the Orgasmatron, Drugs have been replaced by the Orb, and driving replaced by driver-less cars (I'm not sure if rock and roll was still allowed)

How are we going to have any fun in the future? Is everything going to be synthesised and 'virtual'?

eta - Love the scene where they find a 200 year old Volkswagen beetle in a cave, covered in dust. First turn of the key and it starts

Edited by GSE on Wednesday 30th July 15:34

[TLandCruiser]

TTmonkey said:

I think the driverless trains thing has mor to do with the strength of the train drivers Unions than with technology issues.


RIP Bob.

No that's not true, you won't see a driverless mainline train before a minium of 2044, unless they build a new light railway route etc like the dlr. The current network rail plan to upgrade the current signaling system from aws/tpws to ertms will not be complete until a minium of 2044 and that's if it all goes to schedule. Then you still won't see a driverless train untill the infrastructure is completely upgraded to stop people with unauthorised access to the tracks etc.

But regarding cars, for me it's a sad day in motoring just to day driving along at 7am through the back roads with lovely sweeping corners and the morning sun above the fields and windows down was a lovely experience. I love driving and would miss the freedom that it brings, yes a driverless car can take me where I want but it won't have that feeling of just getting in the car and driving.

Edited by TLandCruiser on Wednesday 30th July 15:38

[Dan_1981]

Its taking us 30 years to build one railway line.

Imagine how long it will take the country to prepare for and accept automatic cars.

I'm disappointed that they won't be commonplace far sooner than they will be.

[CrutyRammers]

Dog Star said:

CrutyRammers said:

In theory, eventually humans could be emancipated from a lot of the drudgery of work by automation, and have a great deal more free time.

The problem is that I don't see it being "free time"; they won't be liberated, they'll simply be jobless.

I used to think in my naivety that all these computers and robots would mean we'd all live in some utopian paradise of huge living standards for all. The reality is that that there will be massive poverty at the bottom of the heap and the bloke that owns the company that makes robot cars will be a zillionaire.

Most probably - that's why I put "in theory"

[Mr Will]

TLandCruiser said:

But regarding cars, for me it's a sad day in motoring just to day driving along at 7am through the back roads with lovely sweeping corners and the morning sun above the fields and windows down was a lovely experience. I love driving and would miss the freedom that it brings, yes a driverless car can take me where I want but it won't have that feeling of just getting in the car and driving

Driverless cars won't eliminate cars as we know them, they'll supplement them. I bet when the car was invented someone complained "but it just won't be the same as getting on my horse on a sunny morning and just going for a ride down the road and across the fields". Guess what - people still do that every day.

There will be fully automatic cars. There will still be fully manual cars (Caterham won't be going anywhere!). There will also be cars that bridge the gap, manual controls for when you want them and autopilot for when you don't.

[TLandCruiser]

CrutyRammers said:

Most probably - that's why I put "in theory"

And a bigger welfare bill as more and more jobs become automated

[Riley Blue]

Presumably the insurance for a driverless car will be the same for everyone.

[Ed.]

Mr Will said:

TLandCruiser said:

But regarding cars, for me it's a sad day in motoring just to day driving along at 7am through the back roads with lovely sweeping corners and the morning sun above the fields and windows down was a lovely experience. I love driving and would miss the freedom that it brings, yes a driverless car can take me where I want but it won't have that feeling of just getting in the car and driving

Driverless cars won't eliminate cars as we know them, they'll supplement them. I bet when the car was invented someone complained "but it just won't be the same as getting on my horse on a sunny morning and just going for a ride down the road and across the fields". Guess what - people still do that every day.

There will be fully automatic cars. There will still be fully manual cars (Caterham won't be going anywhere!). There will also be cars that bridge the gap, manual controls for when you want them and autopilot for when you don't.

That's an optimistic viewpoint, the thread about this 2 months ago recognised that risk taking humans would take advantage of safe computers cutting them up etc. A few years down the line the zero death rate of driverless cars will make normal car look like an unacceptable danger.

It would be easier to automate all trains before cars but the market is clearly too small.

[Mr Will]

Ed. said:

That's an optimistic viewpoint, the thread about this 2 months ago recognised that risk taking humans would take advantage of safe computers cutting them up etc. A few years down the line the zero death rate of driverless cars will make normal car look like an unacceptable danger.

It would be easier to automate all trains before cars but the market is clearly too small.

We've not outlawed motorbikes, bicycles, horses or any other form of transport based on safety grounds. Why would we do it for cars?

[272BHP]

Road rage is going to go through the roof.

Think about it, the top speed, acceleration and driving style of these things will be moderated for all sorts of economical and environmental reasons and all will err on the slow side.

Following one of these down a road will make you lose the will to live;, when rain falls the computer will take that into consideration and reduce speed by another 15% so you will see these things creeping about everywhere at 20mph.

One or two will not be a problem but when they are automatically slip streaming each other (again to save fuel and the environment) I can see it not being possible to overtake.

Frustrated drivers = accidents. It's all or nothing I suspect I can't see humans and machines playing nicely together.

[Hub]

I don't know how advanced the technology is. I mean - object in front, yes it will brake, but how can it anticipate potential hazards ahead as well as a human? Will the roads clog up because these cars are so cautious about pulling out, or moving into gaps etc? Will the driving be smooth or sudden braking?

[Dammit]

Companies like Addison Lee will lead this I suspect- if they could assemble their entire fleet of drivers, tomorrow, and give every last one of them their P45 and it only affect their wage bill they'd do it in a heartbeat.

[technodup]

Mr Will said:

Driverless cars won't eliminate cars as we know them, they'll supplement them. I bet when the car was invented someone complained "but it just won't be the same as getting on my horse on a sunny morning and just going for a ride down the road and across the fields". Guess what - people still do that every day.

Aye, Glasgow's roads are teeming with horses.

Saying the car didn't ruin the horse as a mode of transport? Seriously?

I hate 90% of driving, specifically any urban stuff. Traffic lights, pedestrians, cyclists, parking, cameras etc etc. It's hateful. A car which removes this tedium for me, while I can work, watch telly or play with the mrs would be perfect. And I'll be part of a massive majority. I can't wait.

[Ed.]

Mr Will said:

Ed. said:

That's an optimistic viewpoint, the thread about this 2 months ago recognised that risk taking humans would take advantage of safe computers cutting them up etc. A few years down the line the zero death rate of driverless cars will make normal car look like an unacceptable danger.

It would be easier to automate all trains before cars but the market is clearly too small.

We've not outlawed motorbikes, bicycles, horses or any other form of transport based on safety grounds. Why would we do it for cars?

Expectations for preservation of life continue to increase and horses aren't used for serious transport. Driverless vehicles will replace cars, trucks and motorbikes at the same time. Cycling could continue with it's exercise benefits and reduced risk from ultra safe driverless vehicles.
The main point is driverless vehicles could make all human controlled vehicles look dangerous.

[Dammit]

It won't make them look dangerous - it'll make the human driver look dangerous in comparison to the Robot version.

Bring it on, I say.