Will We Get Driver Less Cars Before Driver Less Tube Trains?

[youngmafbog]

http://news.sky.com/story/1425190/driverless-car-trials-begin-across-britain


Seriously though, What are AB'ers views on driver less cars?


I am convinced of the idea - yet.

[TWR]

In theory Good, In reality, I don't think it will work, too many things can go wrong.

[Gromit]

Ymb,
I can't see drones taking off here (no pun intended). Unlike the US, our aerospace is far too busy as it is. If it does come, it will be a very expensive Premium Service, not standard. If you need an ink cartridge for work, and you are happy to pay £50 for delivery within minutes, then a drone will be the choice.

[Zacs-Master]

TWR - if you take away human error, then there are far LESS things to go wrong.

[Baldric]

Ric ror, are you sure, there must be some sort of qualification needed to be in charge of one?

[Zacs-Master]

Balders - I don't see why anything other than the ability to speak would be a qualification. Speak your destination and off you go.

[EDDIE51]

Driverless cars will be MUCH safer than 'driven' cars.
They will not get impatient , angry,aggressive, or worried about being late.
They will never lose the way or break the speed limit or any road rule.
They will never 'race' or try to beat the lights,( in fact traffic lights will be consigned to the history books along with the 'red flag man')

[EDDIE51]

^^ You will just enter your destination on the 'sat nav' press 'start' and sit back while the car drives you there. Obviously the sat nav will be much upgraded from the present system.

[Baldric]

Just had a Google, looks like Ric's right
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2943467/Driverless-cars-green-light-WON-T-need-licence-meaning-ll-able-school-run-own.html

[Old_Geezer]

If the roads become safer due to computers driving most of the cars, then human drivers ought not see a massive increase in premiums; unless the insurance industry is profiteering. Because they would be so much less likely to be involved in an accident than when all cars had drivers. Well: unless users/owners of computer driven cars were offered unrealistically low premiums, that is. In which case if premiums did soar through the roof for drivers, then maybe the number of uninsured drivers would soar in tandem ?

[TWR]

Snow / White outs
Ice
Mud
Gravel
Aquaplaning
Blow outs
Avert action
Fog / total loss of vision due to fog
Heart Attacks

To name a few that a computer can not foresee.

[Baldric]

Good thinking TWR
not sure why a Heart Attack would bother a computer though.

[bhg481]

I disagree TWR

You're assuming that "normal" vision will be used by the computer. My Volvo uses radar to "see" for the adaptive cruise control, so shouldn't be affected by snow/fog etc.
Many cars now have computer-controlled braking which corrects skids etc, probably better than most drivers who "get out of practice".
They can also utilise more "eyes" than a human being, so can look in many directions at once, as well as being able to think faster, so can avoid the "avert" situation.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't see any issue with that list. All stuff that electronics can already help control when they occur unexpectedly; to prevent sliding/skidding/moving out of the way.

[TWR]

Will a computer see a Branch Snapping?
will a computer see what a motorist can see if they are observant enough to see someone is about to open a car door as you are approaching it, its all about IF at this stage, I prefer to use my own Experience for the moment.

[Hopkirk]

I cannot see how it can work in busy roads with parked cars and side junctions.

Currently we have to work it out with eye contact, thumbs up, flashed headlights etc. Sometimes it is only possible to join slow traffic flows by nosing out into traffic until someone lets you in.

On a road near us there are so many parked cars that it is like a children's puzzle, where you have to move items in and out of spaces to get things where you want them to be.

I cannot see how a driverless car can exist in this urban jungle. It cannot see when a kind hearted soul like me is waving it out, and if it follows its ultra safety inspired programming it will never get to its destination.

[Old_Geezer]

Will the human driver ? If the area is being sensored then a moving branch should be noticeable. And spotting something, reacting, and driving into the path of something else to avoid it, can happen too. I don't think this is supposed to be a panacea for all accidents, merely an improved record.

[bhg481]

Well a computer probably will see a branch snapping, even in the dark, which a human probably won't. The algorithms used by computers are still in early days but are improving all the time. A computer won't be dazzled by the sun or oncoming headlamps because it will be using different "light". It won't be looking the wrong way because something has distracted it. It won't be dozing at the wheel. It won't drive too close to the car in front. Need I go on?

[Zacs-Master]

Hopkirk, all it would take is a proximity sensor. Your car would register a signal from a car which wanted to pull out. Your car would slow down (or even stop) and create a gap.

[EDDIE51]

The danger period will be while there are still conventional cars on the road alongside the driverless cars. A date will eventually be announced for the end of conventional cars on the road, they will be limited to private roads and show / exhibition grounds / race tracks.

[EDDIE51]

^^ Perhaps the best of this will be 'No more Jeremy Clarkson' !