DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Actually, we're there now. All modern cars have a computer that runs the engine and the ABS system (brakes). We've had computers running our engines for more than 25 years now.

Windows is definitely not used in automotive applications. The car computers don't have all the external I/O that Windows deals with so they don't have to worry about viruses.

pendennis

The are a host of obstacles to overcome, not the least of which will be technological in nature. Insurance companies will have to redefine the term "driver", and that's not going to be a mere redefinition written in the policy. If the software fails, is it the automaker, the technology company, just whom or what? If a sensor or servo fails, where does the liability accrue? The legal process will be very complicated.

I don't doubt that transportation will eventually get there, but the transition is going to be a long and painful process. I once doubted the speed at which digital would displace film; no more.

I do have a personal anecdote on current features. Last year, I leased a new 2017 Ford Escape, with most of the bells and whistles. One of the included options is the "smart" cruise control. I was on I75 headed from Michigan to Kentucky. I was in a string of traffic in the left lane moving at 70MPH. The sensor insured my preferred spacing, and you could tell when the micro-adjustments took place. It also has the emergency breaking feature.

I always keep an eye on traffic in the adjoining lane, and I can usually tell if someone is going to pull over in front of me. However, the driver just ahead and to the right, gave no indication of his intent. He suddenly pulled out from behind a semi. He was no more than fifty feet in front of me. I instantly (reaction time .1 second?) reacted, but the sensors on the car were way ahead of me. My Escape braked immediately, probably measured in micro-seconds, saving me from an accident. I'm a believer.

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

Hasn't Google chalked up a "lot" of miles with driverless cars with only a few accidents?

The technology may be a lot more advanced that we think.

However, I do agree that the insurance implications are going to be......"interesting".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Problems arise when there is a technical problem, and the pilots can't deal with it. That's what brought down that French plane over the Atlantic when the pitot tubes plugged up. They didn't know how to deal with the situation and fly the plane.

Would owners of driverless cars need driver's licenses?

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

I would hope so, for those times when you MUST take control.

How do you get enough practice to become proficient?

If you can, or don't, ever take manual control, then you wouldn't need a license.
Your car would need the license?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's the trick.

pendennis

Airplanes aren't exactly a good comparison. Skies are fairly empty, even with more dense flight patterns around airports; distances are sometimes measure in miles, and not feet. Highways are very dense in population, comparable to ant farms; and while the speeds are far below those of airplanes, drivers have far more concerns with other drivers, and road and weather hazards that pilots never face on a continual basis.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

And, of course, a car with problems can just stop. An airplane doesn't have that luxury.

Pudge Factor Loc: Texas

Tis true, a no. of yrs back a troop left No. Houston private airport and was heading to La Port,Tx, about 15-20miles, for maintenance. He didn't make because an intake tube removed its self from the engine and he made a three point landing, that is w/two main tires and the prop spinner. All because he didn't want to pay the air wrench the scale.
I spent 26 mos.('60-'62) in Japan, their auto accidents were mostly totaled out, the Russian videos remind me so much of that life.
I am still waiting for my airbag replacement for my '09 Silverado, it seems the charge is too old or something to that effect.
Speaking of Russian videos, this morn. I received this crazyness from China, these people are worse than the Ruskies, I think. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6-Oz_Kyac1mZmNYd0Q4Wnd3TDQ/view

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

I love driving but there are too many untrained, unlicensed, uninsured behind the wheel. Some Crash avoidance technology will save lives and override the fools behind the wheel. Issues like "texting" and drunk driving could easily be handled by sensors! So could excessive speed in residential areas- computers could monitor and control that easily!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

There is a reason why people are still buying engines with 300+ horsepower and it's not to let the car drive itself.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

They'll take my steering wheel when they pry it from my cold, dead.....well, you get the point.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Drunk, high, and texting are a major problem - which computers don't have. They just get "bugs."

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Ditto! Our Yellowstone (and Mt. Rushmore and Teton) trip was a few miles over 4,000 in 11 days and we did it in our Mazda 3 Grand Touring with a manual transmission and I doubt I used cruise control more than maybe 25 miles (if at all) the whole trip and I drove it all. I'm a lousy passenger; my wife is a good one. I also double clutch my downshifts and sometimes heel and toe. Zoom Zoom!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I love cruise control. We have lots of police patrols around here, and CC keeps me from getting a speeding ticket. It's especially good on long trips.