self-driving cars on the way
Discussion
According to this -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18248841
- Volvo is still developing technology that will allow suitably-equipped cars to drive themselves in 'road trains' while the passengers busy themselves reading the paper, eating a Happy meal or learning the trumpet.
My question is, wouldn't it be a hell of a lot cheaper and easier all round to develop a fleet of car transporters that you can hop your car on and off of at M-way junctions?
Not only would that solution not require the installation of stupidly expensive tech that will most likely go wrong at huge expense, it would also massively reduce fuel consumption and general wear and tear on cars as only one engine would be used (the transporter's).
Or am I missing something.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18248841
- Volvo is still developing technology that will allow suitably-equipped cars to drive themselves in 'road trains' while the passengers busy themselves reading the paper, eating a Happy meal or learning the trumpet.
My question is, wouldn't it be a hell of a lot cheaper and easier all round to develop a fleet of car transporters that you can hop your car on and off of at M-way junctions?
Not only would that solution not require the installation of stupidly expensive tech that will most likely go wrong at huge expense, it would also massively reduce fuel consumption and general wear and tear on cars as only one engine would be used (the transporter's).
Or am I missing something.
The car transporter would need to stop and start at every area like a bus, plus the time to load / unload. And would be a lot slower than a car. So I think there's possibly a fair bit you're missing 
Once the computer systems are all worked out and put into mass production, surely it won't be a massively expensive overhead to put this technology in. Cars can already control throttle / brakes automatically, some already have that parking assist so the steering is already automated..
I can't wait. The prospect of being able to go on a long drive, with my feet up, reading a book appeals greatly. Sure I want to be able to drive myself when the mood takes, but for long slogs or the morning commute, I think this is fantastic. It'll stop rubbernecking at accidents and numerous other "human" problems that cause traffic.
Once the computer systems are all worked out and put into mass production, surely it won't be a massively expensive overhead to put this technology in. Cars can already control throttle / brakes automatically, some already have that parking assist so the steering is already automated..
I can't wait. The prospect of being able to go on a long drive, with my feet up, reading a book appeals greatly. Sure I want to be able to drive myself when the mood takes, but for long slogs or the morning commute, I think this is fantastic. It'll stop rubbernecking at accidents and numerous other "human" problems that cause traffic.
I saw stopping as an 'on demand' thing, a bit like the bus request stops, ie if nobody wants to get on or off at a junction the driver carries on. With the right design of transporter (with lateral loading and unloading so everybody doesn't have to get off and then back on again) I would have thought the extra time would be more than compensated by savings in fuel and wear and tear on your car. There could be a lounge area behind the cab for car drivers to relax/work/whatevs.
The other advantage of the transporter system would be no traffic jams and accidents, especially if the self-drive tech is used, but even without that the M-ways would be a lot clearer/safer.
Have to say though there has been no word on what happens if the tech on these self-driving cars fails. As happened very embarrassingly to Volvo itself of a disastrous press launch of this system a year or so back.
Have to say though there has been no word on what happens if the tech on these self-driving cars fails. As happened very embarrassingly to Volvo itself of a disastrous press launch of this system a year or so back.
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