RE: Google's car is go...
Discussion
It's kind of already been mentioned, but surely this would only actually work if all cars on the road were these or had some kind of retro fitted tracker to relay information to the autonomous cars? Sure, they can pootle around Google's Campus or whatever quite happily, but in the real world, how would they pull out of a junction, or use a roundabout?
Nice gimmick but still some way to go before it's actually useful to normal people. Not really sure how it's anymore useful than a normal taxi either.
Nice gimmick but still some way to go before it's actually useful to normal people. Not really sure how it's anymore useful than a normal taxi either.
G0ldfysh said:
Pub ride home at the end of the night on JohnnyCab yes please.
Long day in the office need to just chill and not worry about everyone else on the road, take a JohnnyCab.
Weekends want to go for a drive, wheel out from the garage hibernation the noisy bumpy manual fossil burner and head to the hills.
sounds like a good plan to me.
Sounds like bliss. Long day in the office need to just chill and not worry about everyone else on the road, take a JohnnyCab.
Weekends want to go for a drive, wheel out from the garage hibernation the noisy bumpy manual fossil burner and head to the hills.
sounds like a good plan to me.
longshot said:
These would destroy PH.
No more complaining about people driving badly, going too fast, going too slow, cutting up, barging in, dangerous driving, drink driving......
Nonsense.No more complaining about people driving badly, going too fast, going too slow, cutting up, barging in, dangerous driving, drink driving......
They'll still be cyclists and horse riders to complain about.
You could even do so on the way to work!
Sounds great. I bet that car has better attention to the road than the person who smashed into me by not checking before joining a roundabout.
To be honest, as has been said, the main concern is in the future when this tech gets so good that the cars can make split decisions so quickly that it's not practical to have "manual" cars on the road piloted by mere mortals.
I'm not actually sure what will happen in the future. Most cars sold aren't really what we'd call "driver's cars", so could 90% of cars end up being autonomous? What happens to sports cars and performance cars? Will we eventually be limited to purpose built roads or tracks? Will the sensation of driving a car enthusiastically eventually just be simulated? Hard to know what will really happen.
To be honest, as has been said, the main concern is in the future when this tech gets so good that the cars can make split decisions so quickly that it's not practical to have "manual" cars on the road piloted by mere mortals.
I'm not actually sure what will happen in the future. Most cars sold aren't really what we'd call "driver's cars", so could 90% of cars end up being autonomous? What happens to sports cars and performance cars? Will we eventually be limited to purpose built roads or tracks? Will the sensation of driving a car enthusiastically eventually just be simulated? Hard to know what will really happen.
I dont see the point of complaining abotu the styling, it isnt a finished product, it is testing the technology that will then be applied to normal cars.
Turn it on it head, imagine we lived in some Steampunk world where cars, were, through some freak of early technology, already autonomous and collisions were minimal, people got around very efficiently and it all worked, then someone decides to introduce a normal car, one with five times or more power than it needs to do its job and driven by the occupant.
I think this is still some way off, but it is coming.
We need to realise we are kind of the exception, a minority, most people arent all that arsed about being pinned to the seat, cornering quickly and even driving, ok a lot enjoy it but would equally enjoy being driven.
Would be interesting to see where jorney times would end up if cars were autonomous, humans are basically selfish and that slows things down, suspect these little Golf carts would provide faster journey times than several million peoplee all on their own mission.
Turn it on it head, imagine we lived in some Steampunk world where cars, were, through some freak of early technology, already autonomous and collisions were minimal, people got around very efficiently and it all worked, then someone decides to introduce a normal car, one with five times or more power than it needs to do its job and driven by the occupant.
I think this is still some way off, but it is coming.
We need to realise we are kind of the exception, a minority, most people arent all that arsed about being pinned to the seat, cornering quickly and even driving, ok a lot enjoy it but would equally enjoy being driven.
Would be interesting to see where jorney times would end up if cars were autonomous, humans are basically selfish and that slows things down, suspect these little Golf carts would provide faster journey times than several million peoplee all on their own mission.
LOW4LYFE said:
It's kind of already been mentioned, but surely this would only actually work if all cars on the road were these or had some kind of retro fitted tracker to relay information to the autonomous cars? Sure, they can pootle around Google's Campus or whatever quite happily, but in the real world, how would they pull out of a junction, or use a roundabout?
Nice gimmick but still some way to go before it's actually useful to normal people. Not really sure how it's anymore useful than a normal taxi either.
Well to be honest, they'll all end up connected to each other. Each car would be aware of all the cars around it, cars would be broadcasting what they're intending to do, and the cars behind would be aware they're going to brake. Cars would intentionally let people out on roundabouts if it was efficient to do so. That sort of tech isn't difficult. The hard part would be getting manufacturers to agree on a standard to follow. Obviously, one car not following the system would ruin the entire thing, that's why they'd still need a full array of sensors to react to unexpected situations such as mechanical failure or pedestrians on the road.Nice gimmick but still some way to go before it's actually useful to normal people. Not really sure how it's anymore useful than a normal taxi either.
The ipod generation may love it. Well, they can keep it. What is the point of a horrid box on wheels. Is this really the future petrolheads want? Progress? I'll just sit back, shake my head, and laugh. Electric cars? b
ks. Driverless cars? bks. Kid yourselves all you want, call me a dinosaur, i really don't give a flying fk. I am going to enjoy my petrol fueled fun for as long as i can and rejoice that i lived in the era when cars were fun (and possibly dangerous). The future? You are welcome to it. 
ks. Driverless cars? bks. Kid yourselves all you want, call me a dinosaur, i really don't give a flying fk. I am going to enjoy my petrol fueled fun for as long as i can and rejoice that i lived in the era when cars were fun (and possibly dangerous). The future? You are welcome to it. Hmmm... how would this deal with overtaking a cyclist on a dual carriageway and judging the speed of the WRX hurtling its way towards its arse at 95mph. We might be able to spot the Subaru in our rearview mirror and make a judge call. Will this pull out? I'm guessing it has radar to judge distances etc., but then it'll never be able to overtake anything as most cars will be within the 'allowed proximity'.
1. Why does a specifically designed to be autonomous car have wing mirrors?
2. Why does a specifically designed to be autonomous car have such a god-awful hideous looking laser/camera dingleberry on the roof, surely that could have been made "pretty" somehow.
The whole things smacks of nasty University student "concept" city car- the mainstream manufacturers have Nothing to fear from this abortion.
2. Why does a specifically designed to be autonomous car have such a god-awful hideous looking laser/camera dingleberry on the roof, surely that could have been made "pretty" somehow.
The whole things smacks of nasty University student "concept" city car- the mainstream manufacturers have Nothing to fear from this abortion.
I can't see even a company as powerful and rich as Google overcoming the potential legal liabilities of autonomous vehicles any time soon. Human drivers have a legal responsibility to avoid accidents by obeying the rules and responding to situations appropriately so far as is reasonably practicable but how should an autonomous vehicle behave? What happens when the first cyclist is squashed by one and there is a legal challenge questioning the competency of the anti-collision algorithms or whatever? It's a legal minefield.
What's next anyway, automated Police cars on patrol dishing out fines for minor infringements of the law? Normal cars banned when statistics prove autonomous cars are safer? Private ownership banned so everyone has to be carted around in government approved spongey, smiley, Google bubble cars dispatched on demand to reduce parking requirements?
Kill it with fire I say.
What's next anyway, automated Police cars on patrol dishing out fines for minor infringements of the law? Normal cars banned when statistics prove autonomous cars are safer? Private ownership banned so everyone has to be carted around in government approved spongey, smiley, Google bubble cars dispatched on demand to reduce parking requirements?
Kill it with fire I say.
I assume the thing will be developed to be fairly foolproof before its commercial. SO, assuming that, what's wrong with it?….
In a world where great chunks of cities are 20mph zones, why on earth would you want to drive ( say) an AMG or an Aston in the 20mph zone?…surely not for the driving experience at 20mph.
I keep a elderly Smart ForTwo for the city (and other stuff for driving more rapidly outside it). The Smart has the huge advantage of being able to park in small spaces. It is a pleasure to drive? - not in the least. Would I consider this thing? Certainly I would when its developed. I am aware that there is a certain dorky factor, but it is undeniable that there is a generation of people coming who have less connection with the car as a social lubricant. When I was a kid you needed a car to go on a date for instance, or to meet up with people.
Now its all web-based. In the US, despite population growth, miles driven are falling and people are getting their driving licenses later. Add to this the huge restrictions..points, speed cameras, ridiculous speed limits, fuel costs , congestion and the rest and driving is simply less fun for people and for many its a chore.
I doubt it will replace the London middle Eastern princelings revving Lambos so as to get up to 50MPH in August, but it has a role, and in my view , it is inevitable.
In a world where great chunks of cities are 20mph zones, why on earth would you want to drive ( say) an AMG or an Aston in the 20mph zone?…surely not for the driving experience at 20mph.
I keep a elderly Smart ForTwo for the city (and other stuff for driving more rapidly outside it). The Smart has the huge advantage of being able to park in small spaces. It is a pleasure to drive? - not in the least. Would I consider this thing? Certainly I would when its developed. I am aware that there is a certain dorky factor, but it is undeniable that there is a generation of people coming who have less connection with the car as a social lubricant. When I was a kid you needed a car to go on a date for instance, or to meet up with people.
Now its all web-based. In the US, despite population growth, miles driven are falling and people are getting their driving licenses later. Add to this the huge restrictions..points, speed cameras, ridiculous speed limits, fuel costs , congestion and the rest and driving is simply less fun for people and for many its a chore.
I doubt it will replace the London middle Eastern princelings revving Lambos so as to get up to 50MPH in August, but it has a role, and in my view , it is inevitable.
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