Self driving cars - The end of all parking issues

[idibbers]

I'm not on the self driving bandwagon but if your car can drop you off at work or to the pub, and you can send it home then somehow (via text?) call it back, parking wouldn't be an issue. I'm not sure if this would be possible though?

Also, I do strongly believe manufactures should programme in a personality based on the real driver stereotypes, so for example BMW's should be programmed to get right behind you, even when there's several cars in front of you and you can't get past.. Tailgating with unparalleled precision. Honda Jazz's should be programmed to drive as slow as they can get away with, trying to cause as many accidents as possible..

I'd definitely look at buying a self driving car if there was something unique and personal about them.

Can't wait to get my self driving Audi RS4 which is programmed to think of itself as extra special and make stupid manoeuvres putting everyones life at risk...

In all seriousness though, what would convince you to get a self driver?

[Johnnytheboy]

Someone elsewhere suggested you wouldn't need to park if only popping in somewhere, just send the car round the block. I wonder how many extra vehicle miles this would create in a busy city, when everyone started doing it?

I'll sign up to the self-driving cars when the government agrees to let me be transported in it when drunk.

Which they won't.

[swisstoni]

We'll all be flown around by drones.

[oilslick]

The thought that I could go to the pub, stumble out and be driven home in my own car would be persuasion enough.

[eltax91]

They won't be personal at all. The affordable way will be to make them paid per mile, on a monthly account and you book the car in advance.

The car drops you at work and doesn't go park, it goes on to the next guy to move him from next to your office to a customers. Then yours picks you up at 5pm, car pooled with a other guy so you can split the cost and drives you both home as you live within 1/2 mile of you and the online system knows that.

Only the company car people or the quite rich will be able to have personalised and self-owned varieties

[Johnnytheboy]

oilslick said:

The thought that I could go to the pub, stumble out and be driven home in my own car would be persuasion enough.

As above, if there is any way of controlling the car yourself, being drunk in charge will not be allowed.

I'm prepared to bet real money on this.

The "safety lobby" will never allow it.

[SteveSteveson]

Johnnytheboy said:

Someone elsewhere suggested you wouldn't need to park if only popping in somewhere, just send the car round the block. I wonder how many extra vehicle miles this would create in a busy city, when everyone started doing it?

It may reduce them, as the car circles the block once while you are in the shop, rather than going round and round looking for a space as happens at the moment.

[kambites]

Johnnytheboy said:

As above, if there is any way of controlling the car yourself, being drunk in charge will not be allowed.

Quite possibly true, but one of the things being looked at currently is how to legislate for vehicles which "have no driver". Whether that means vehicles which can carry people but can't be controlled by them or vehicles which cannot carry humans at all, remains to be seen. I'd be quite happy with a commuter/pub car which had no human controls other than the ability to set the destination as long as I'm also allowed to keep my Elise.

[jurbie]

swisstoni said:

We'll all be flown around by drones.

Personal helicopters actually according to yesterdays BBC local news. (Starts at 3minutes.)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04fcn5l/nort...

I think the pool car idea is the most likely thing however what happens to all the personal stuff that people have rolling around inside their car? In my boot there is a camera tripod, a pair of walking boots, a rain coat, water proof trousers and an umbrella so where ever I am I will always be prepared for inclement weather and have a tripod for those unexpected photographic moments.

[hidetheelephants]

Johnnytheboy said:

oilslick said:

The thought that I could go to the pub, stumble out and be driven home in my own car would be persuasion enough.

As above, if there is any way of controlling the car yourself, being drunk in charge will not be allowed.

I'm prepared to bet real money on this.

The "safety lobby" will never allow it.

But they'll allow you to phone up a minicab company, who'll send a self-driving car round to collect you, complete with beaded seatcovers and vomitproof hose-downable interior.