Driverless Cars

[CaseyMiller]

I keep hearing/reading more and more about driverless (aka autonomous) cars. It seems like they may actually be on the market within five years. Mind blowing.

If true, I think once introduced the acceptance will be like the PC or mobile phone. People just won't buy a car unless it can drive itself. That is if the technology really works and it can be made affordable.

In fact, I can almost envision actual car ownership becoming a thing of the past. Why own a car when you can have a driverless one waiting for you the second you walk out the door. Cars won't have to sit in parking lots waiting. They can be off working shuttling others to work or whatever.

This would reduce pollution, energy consumption, increase safety etc...

Very exciting times we live in.

[SteveinMN]

In a way, I'm looking forward to driverless cars because many (most?) of drivers I see very obviously would rather be doing anything else -- short of root canal or tax forms -- than driving. At least a driverless car won't be reading or applying makeup or drunk when they are behind the wheel.

Personally, I love driving, and I would miss the opportunity to control the car, especially a car of my choosing. But I know I'm in a distinct minority in the U.S.

[razz]

Until they break down, that is, and they will do that when one least expects it to happen.

More gadgets to go wrong. I like simple and easy not things that are so technologically advanced that I cannot manage my life without high priced expertise that is miles away.

Having said that, there is a solution to everything eventually.

[AmeliaJane]

Yes, the breakdown factor is the one that I am most concerned about (although I am sure safety precautions would have to be built in)--considering how often my various gadgets have to be tweaked, updated, rebooted or whatever, it seems like cars would be just as vulnerable.

But living in a major metropolitan city with a lot of idiot drivers, I would much rather a robot be driving than some of these people. And it's interesting to think about how this might change urban patterns...for instance, if the car can drive itself to a lot, then you don't need parking near businesses. And I wonder if car-shares like Zipcar would become more viable (because the car would drive itself to your door instead of having to get yourself to a parking spot.) Parking lots could be more dense because the cars could rearrange themselves to accommodate coming and going.

[citrine]

I cannot wait for this to happen! I hate driving with idiot drivers all over the place here...getting honked at because I stopped at a stop sign! I think it will help so much with the accident rates and insurance rates.

[jp1]

Although it has the potential to be a really great thing I don't see this becoming reality anytime soon. A driverless car would shift liability for any accident onto the car manufacturer and/or the manufacturer of the controlling systems. Auto makers would undoubtedly be hesitant to accept that potential cost.

[Mighty Frugal]

this sounds exciting! I don' really like driving (although I never drive drunk, apply makeup, text, talk on cell phone, etc)

I'm much happier being the passenger. I guess driver's ed will be a thing of the past! And no more speeding, cutting people off, etc...where will we now funnel all of our pent up rage?

[SteveinMN]

And no more speeding, cutting people off, etc...where will we now funnel all of our pent up rage?
I thought that's what the Comments section on Web sites was for... ??

[nswef]

I'm hoping for the wiggle your nose transportation of "Bewitched". It cannot come soon enough for me.

[Mrs-M]

I'm looking forward to the capsule you climb into, that floats a couple feet off the ground, and runs on magnetic currency/force.

Check it out! (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvU2Cp6LCkA/UNng_bNVR0I/AAAAAAAAA2k/H0TWybPa-LM/s400/volkswagen-concept-floating-car-1.jpg)

[Mrs-M]

And here! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWh2qT9yiTo)

The prototype I seen (Daily Planet), was based on a magnetic system, whereas this one looks likes it's propelled by a fan.

[Dhiana]

I'm not sure how self-driving cars will reduce congestion very much. THere will still be about the same number of cars full of single drivers commuting and moving about the country.

A car isn't just transportation in America, it represents independence to so many. If we truely hated driving that much they would be taking the bus or the train. Demanding these services where they live, demanding bus stops in front of their homes, demanding train stations in their neighborhoods but they don't.

I don't see many Americans giving up that control over what is perceived as their independence unless forced to by laws that begin to eliminate the manufacture of manually driven cars. Of course the car lobbyists will make sure they are in no way blamed for any accidents and we'll still have to pay for insurance on a car we no longer drive.

I've driven 8 times in the last 1 1/2 years...public transportation here in Japan is a beautiful thing!

[Tussiemussies]

I love driving although I am not out there on the roads lately. I would never trust a system like , something goes wrong electrically and next thing you know is that the car you are in has hit the car in front of you...

[creaker]

Blue screen of death will take on whole new meanings. I don't see them ever getting it 100% always up, always working, always making the right choices.

But then neither are cars and driving now - lots of accidents, lots of equipment failures, lots of deaths - and we keep driving. We accept it's not perfect and not perfectly safe. Within those parameters, I could see driverless cars becoming accepted.

Driverless cars may be safer under certain circumstances - just because people have their licenses does not necessarily mean they are safe drivers. The car itself is going to need to be able to decide when it's not safe to be on the road, unlike all the folks driving around in deathtraps. And I doubt driverless cars will be speeding.

[AmeliaJane]

I'm not sure how self-driving cars will reduce congestion very much. THere will still be about the same number of cars full of single drivers commuting and moving about the country.

Some families might be more able to share a car if it could drive itself to where it is needed. Also, driverless cars would probably be able to monitor and adjust for traffic more efficiently than human drivers (not fewer cars, but possibly using the roads more efficiently.)

I agree, though, I think many people just like driving and would be reluctant to give it up.

[jp1]

One area no one's mentioned where I think driverless cars would be a truly huge boon is the elderly and handicapped. Being as mobile as able-bodied adults would go a long way towards helping these individuals be independent.

Another area where it would be great is that it would eliminate drunk driving. Even with the serious penalties for driving drunk, all of the education that's been done regarding the dangers, etc, it still seems like at least once a week I hear about a local story involving a drunk driving accident.