Driverless cars are coming.

[Old Rocks]

I'll drive my own car, thanks.

I expect it to be required in another 15 to 20 years in some areas. Urban areas will be first. Probably followed by interstates in and around major cities, with all interstates being driverless sometime later.

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

 

[OnePercenter]

GM plans to release cars with no steering wheel in 2019

It is inevitable.

Truck driver at fault in Las Vegas driverless shuttle crash, say police

The autonomous vehicle didn't sound a horn, back-up, or move around the backing truck which is what you or I would have done. Until artificial intelligence is accomplished, autonomous vehicles won't be possible. Period.

The truck backed into a stationary vehicle. That has nothing to do with anything except the incompetence of the truck driver.

It has to do with the shuttle not doing what you would have done to avoid the accident; Honking your horn, backing up, driving around the truck.

 

[OnePercenter]

I'll drive my own car, thanks.

I expect it to be required in another 15 to 20 years in some areas. Urban areas will be first. Probably followed by interstates in and around major cities, with all interstates being driverless sometime later.

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

 

[WinterBorn]

I expect it to be required in another 15 to 20 years in some areas. Urban areas will be first. Probably followed by interstates in and around major cities, with all interstates being driverless sometime later.

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

 

[WinterBorn]

I expect it to be required in another 15 to 20 years in some areas. Urban areas will be first. Probably followed by interstates in and around major cities, with all interstates being driverless sometime later.

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

The Tesla has many of the technological equipment that will make driverless cars possible. I would imagine Tesla tech will be in most of them.

And, I said it would happen in the next 15 to 20 years. Tesla Motors was founded just 15 years ago. The advances in the next 15 years will make it possible.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I expect it to be required in another 15 to 20 years in some areas. Urban areas will be first. Probably followed by interstates in and around major cities, with all interstates being driverless sometime later.

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

I am very curious. How well does it hold the lane when those lane markers are covered by 4-5 inches of snow like we had this morning?

 

[TomParks]

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

Except for coastal liberals these will be a huge flop like new coke and crystal pepsi.....the majority of Americans are not giving up their trucks for a car equipped with a salad spinner on the roof

 

[WinterBorn]

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

We already have plenty of idiots behind the wheel.

Little anecdotal bit to show why I have little faith in human drivers.

For 12 years I was the Director of Safety for a major utility contractor working all over the eastern US.

I was doing some basic safety training at a number of jobs. One of the classes was held during each job's weekly safety meeting. I asked each group of employees and subcontractors to raise their hand if they were a good driver. I probably asked this question of 2,000 workers. 2 men raised their hands in all of those safety meetings. Both of them were serious bikers. They could handle a Harley, but weren't as good driving cars or trucks.

I then asked the same groups to raise their hand if they had never been in a car accident that totaled the vehicle, seriously injured someone, or caused someone's death. Out of all those groups, with ages varying from 19 or 20 up to 65 or so, only 3 people raised their hand. All those hundreds of "good drivers", but they had all been in a serious accident.



Will the driverless cars be foolproof and a guarantee of no accidents? No. Will they be far safer than the potluck disastor we have now? You betcha.

 

[TomParks]

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

I am very curious. How well does it hold the lane when those lane markers are covered by 4-5 inches of snow like we had this morning?

Every year on I-80 we have pileup wrecks.....lets see how they deal with foggy and whiteout snow squall conditions

 

[WinterBorn]

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

And I told you that the driver ignored 5 warnings that there was a problem. Driverless cars will, no doubt, be programmed to pull over if something like this happens.

 

[WinterBorn]

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

Except for coastal liberals these will be a huge flop like new coke and crystal pepsi.....the majority of Americans are not giving up their trucks for a car equipped with a salad spinner on the roof

Salad spinner? WTH?

 

[boedicca]

There are two major reasons why self-driving cars are not a good idea for regular people (the very rich who would profit from government support of the program are excluded from this analysis as they won't be put at risk).

1. Self-driving cars must be programmed for making life-saving decisions. The likelihood is that the programming will end up sacrificing the passengers for the "greater good".

2. Filth. If Uber moves to self-driving cars they will end up being the mobile equivalent of filthy city sidewalks filled wth homeless encampments. Every disgusting form of bodily secretion will turn said cars into toxic waste dumps. Unless, of course, they are cleaned after every trip - but that would defeat the purpose of eliminating human labor or a big investment in cleaning robot facilities will be required.

 

[WinterBorn]

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

I am very curious. How well does it hold the lane when those lane markers are covered by 4-5 inches of snow like we had this morning?

Every year on I-80 we have pileup wrecks.....lets see how they deal with foggy and whiteout snow squall conditions

There are ultrasonic sensors on the Tesla that see through rain, fog and snow. The computer will have better "vision" than a human driver.

And, since you bring up the pileup wrecks, someone said they don't want a computer driving because they want to be in control on icy roads. Funny, humans seem to have problems with that often enough.

 

[anotherlife]

Car makers oppose driverless cars, because people will buy much fewer of them, when the car can drive the husband to work, then turn around by itself and drive the children to school, then the wife shopping. So for every 2 current cars, there will be only one driverless car in the future. Reduced sales, bad for business.

 

[Darkwind]

I'll drive my own car, thanks.

I expect it to be required in another 15 to 20 years in some areas. Urban areas will be first. Probably followed by interstates in and around major cities, with all interstates being driverless sometime later.

Why would it ever be required?

Did they outlaw manual transmissions?

Did they outlaw manual steering?

That's pure speculation with zero evidence on your part!

First it will be certain areas, to relieve parking issues. Next it will be a safety issue.

33k people died in 2014 in traffic accidents. The cost of traffic accidents runs into the billions every year.

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

It is not so much a leap of faith in technology, but a lack of faith in human drivers.

The overwhelming majority of car accidents can be directly blamed on the driver being under the influence, the driver being distracted, or the driver being exhausted.

Actually, the overwhelming number of accidents can be attributed to the fact that 99% of the people on this planet simply can't drive.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

And I told you that the driver ignored 5 warnings that there was a problem. Driverless cars will, no doubt, be programmed to pull over if something like this happens.

So if you have no way to control the car at all, what good will warning the occupant do? Give them time to kiss their ass goodbye?

 

[Desperado]

I think the programming of the carcan handle icy roas with the problems, it is the morality programming that I have doubts about
A self-driving car carrying a family of four on a rural two-lane highway spots a bouncing ball ahead. As the vehicle approaches a child runs out to retrieve the ball. Should the car risk its passengers’ lives by swerving to the side—where the edge of the road meets a steep cliff? Or should the car continue on its path, ensuring its passengers’ safety at the child’s expense? This scenario and many others pose moral and ethical dilemmas that carmakers, car buyers and regulators must address before vehicles should be given full autonomy, according to a study published Thursday inScience.

Driverless Cars Will Face Moral Dilemmas

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

Emergency braking goes too early? Hmmm, and so many of the naysayers were worried about the car not braking.

I already gave you a link to a Tesla that didn't brake at all because it couldn't "see" the semi traveling directly in front of it!

You simply cannot make anything idiotproof, because Mother Nature will always be able to find a bigger idiot!

We already have plenty of idiots behind the wheel.

Little anecdotal bit to show why I have little faith in human drivers.

For 12 years I was the Director of Safety for a major utility contractor working all over the eastern US.

I was doing some basic safety training at a number of jobs. One of the classes was held during each job's weekly safety meeting. I asked each group of employees and subcontractors to raise their hand if they were a good driver. I probably asked this question of 2,000 workers. 2 men raised their hands in all of those safety meetings. Both of them were serious bikers. They could handle a Harley, but weren't as good driving cars or trucks.

I then asked the same groups to raise their hand if they had never been in a car accident that totaled the vehicle, seriously injured someone, or caused someone's death. Out of all those groups, with ages varying from 19 or 20 up to 65 or so, only 3 people raised their hand. All those hundreds of "good drivers", but they had all been in a serious accident.



Will the driverless cars be foolproof and a guarantee of no accidents? No. Will they be far safer than the potluck disastor we have now? You betcha.

By comparison, I have been driving for 40 years. I have never had a moving violation, only a few fender benders, no serious accidents, and no injuries. That car better be damn near perfect before I trust my ass to it!

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Until we have a good idea how well these driverless cars work and how much they cost, how can you justify any of that?

It is a huge leap of faith. Will airlines start flying planes with no pilots at all?

We know there cost already, Tesla has them right now. And, yes, such computers and computing power will make individual air transport possible.
Lilium

I own two Teslas with the latest driver assist technology. While it is a great tool for drivers, it is far from as good as a person driving.

For instance, if lane markings are new it will hold a lane. If the lane markings are old or covered by dirt the warning light will show for the driver to take over. Also construction zones where the lane marking have been moved, the car tends to follow the old markings if they weren't removed totally.

The emergency braking tends to brake too early.

I am very curious. How well does it hold the lane when those lane markers are covered by 4-5 inches of snow like we had this morning?

Every year on I-80 we have pileup wrecks.....lets see how they deal with foggy and whiteout snow squall conditions

There are ultrasonic sensors on the Tesla that see through rain, fog and snow. The computer will have better "vision" than a human driver.

And, since you bring up the pileup wrecks, someone said they don't want a computer driving because they want to be in control on icy roads. Funny, humans seem to have problems with that often enough.

I want to see how ultrasonic works through a semi!

High frequency sound waves do not bend around an object. They reflect backwards, making it blind at any further distance, so I think your data is in error as to its capabilities.