Who thinks Driverless Vehicles A good Idea? (Page 3): Sounds expensive. I understand that the infrastructure would have to be improved. Speed limit signs that transmit, stop and yield...

Mike N Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska

Sounds expensive. I understand that the infrastructure would have to be improved. Speed limit signs that transmit, stop and yield signs also. Cars that communicate with each other would only work if all cars communicated with each other. Variable road conditions with icy roads that are ok in the light but slick in the shade. The maintenance on these things would be astounding with all of those sensors and output controllers. Cars now I understand have millions of lines of code, driverless ones would be many times that. I think of the times my computer becomes "unresponsive" and I have to reboot it. Think of the bug fixes. Every time a new model came out there would be the same thing. Firmware updates. When they get so old do you get a message "I'm sorry that model is not supported any more". Systems that could be hacked into. More than likely government mandated maintenance and "safety" inspections. Vehicles are so expensive now I don't know who could afford one.

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

Mike N wrote:

Sounds expensive. I understand that the infrastruc... (show quote)

It will probably be quite expensive, at first.

Lots of jobs upgrading the infrastructure.

Hopefully, like most technology, it will become cheaper as it is improved.

An interesting question about obsolescence and the longevity of cars.

One would hope that these systems would, eventually, be replaceable.

No more cars over 10 years old?

philmurfin Loc: Bakewell, Derbyshire UK

There are several times when I can't get a signal on my sat-nav.
What would be the result if this were to happen in a computer controlled car.
Following on from that, I really don't think it's good if we give away the option/choice/desire/need for human input
Phil

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

philmurfin wrote:

There are several times when I can't get a signal on my sat-nav.
What would be the result if this were to happen in a computer controlled car.
Following on from that, I really don't think it's good if we give away the option/choice/desire/need for human input
Phil

There will have to be a lot more/better satellite coverage.

I agree that there would also have to be the ability to take manual control when necessary and appropriate.

There are probably a lot of things we've "given up" because of advances in technology.

This trend will lcontinue whether we want it/like it or not.

philmurfin Loc: Bakewell, Derbyshire UK

"This trend will continue whether we want it/like it or not".

Not necessarily at all. no demand, no sales. Did you ever hear of the Sinclair C5 over there? They sold well, NOT!

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

melismus wrote:

Driverless cars are amassing a safety record that soon will make it a no-brainer.

Exactly, ignoring the recent failures this is a learning experience. Some of the components for the driverless vehicles are already incorporated into many vehicles today, (i.e. Adaptable speed control, that applies the brakes if the driver is distracted).

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

John_F wrote:

My first thought on driverless cars is liability f... (show quote)

I imagine we will see something like no fault insurance, there will be no citations issued and each person will be responsible for their own repairs.

Rich

custodian Loc: New York

Cars that HAVE PEOPLE behind the wheel is scarry enough! nevermind a driverless one!

Tommg

Like to drive, no use for a driverless car. Photography tends to take me where the roads are pretty wild, sometimes a single dirt lane ( read "cow trail), driverless car would be worthless and I want to be in control.

Read an article the other day that driverless cars are programmed to protect the driver 1st & foremost ... thus if you are ever in a situation where kids dart out in front of you and you are presented with either hitting a parked car or plowing into the kids ... well the car will try to protect you(not the kids).

This will sound silly, but don't trust that the government will be able to keep their fingers out of controlling when & where you want to go in your driverless car!

Technology is great, but it certainly has, or should have limits. Driverless cars safety reports are not necessarily accurate, after all, they are trying to create a market for these things.

jimward Loc: Perth, Western Australia

JD750 wrote:

Major Tech companies are pouring millions into driverless car technology.

So I'm just wondering, what do UHHers think about this upcoming technology and what changes will it bring?
Will driverless vehicles become the norm and driven vehicles become extinct, perhaps even illegal? Will we
be keeping "Red Barchettas" hidden in our garages?

Most commercial aircraft could be flown automatically from point to point. The pilots are only there to make the passengers feel comfortable. It's a fact that most air crashes result from pilot error. Same will probably apple to driverless cars. Another step towards people becoming entirely redundant!

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

JD750 wrote:

Major Tech companies are pouring millions into driverless car technology.

So I'm just wondering, what do UHHers think about this upcoming technology and what changes will it bring?
Will driverless vehicles become the norm and driven vehicles become extinct, perhaps even illegal? Will we
be keeping "Red Barchettas" hidden in our garages?

Having just gone through the Takata safety bag recall (potentially lethal...!) on my car and the callous foot-dragging demeanour with which my car manufacturer Hondled the recall and repair, I am probably not the kind of unbiased customer who would be right for answering this question.

Maybe in a year or two when I stop "shaking" and 'cringing'... :-(

Mike N Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska

"Driverless cars safety reports are not necessarily accurate, after all, they are trying to create a market for these things."
Couldn't agree more. All of the test cars are probably using the best hand selected components available and are new. What about when these things get a few years on them or better yet when the manufactures accountants start ordering the components. The Takata air bags probably weren't selected be cause they were the best money could buy. Also component shortage during manufacture that causes a substitute that maybe doesn't work just right with the untold millions of lines of code. No thanks.

Spiney Loc: Reading, PA

Both my vehicles are stick shift. A 4wd pickup and a 96 SVT Cobra Mustang. I enjoy driving 90% of the time. But there are times when I'm tired but still would like to get home safe. I would like to know I will always have the option to drive. I don't want Big Brother taking away another freedom. I'm afraid that my Grandson will not know the pleasure of driving, or for that matter working for a living. I like technology, I'm using it now, I don't trust the government. Or more directly I don't trust people like Al Gore or other progressive "Intellects" who know better how I should live my life.

Spiney Loc: Reading, PA

Agreed, imagine a car that runs on Windows and suddenly gets a blue screen of death while driving. And Microsoft is not alone. I just had to totally wipe clean my iPad because it kept Locking Up for no appearant reason.

I also worked for 5 years for a defense contractor. I saw cheating and Parts substitution that eventually landed upper management in federal prison.

Look at how VW wrote code to cheat the EPA Mileage & smog tests.

I can see where We will be mandated to driverless cars and Congress will be chauffeured around as they pass you on the interstate.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

I can see the benefit to those with medical conditions which would make them hazardous behind the wheel.