Thoughts on driverless cars

[Kevinicus]

I rode in a Tesla (my brother has one). Not too shabby, but I generally like to drive when I'm in a car. I think I would feel weird in the driver's seat not driving.

 

[Roadtrip635]

if they do it right, it could make the roads a lot safer.
drunk drivers dont need to drive
disabled and those who are too elderly would have more access to transportation without paying for uber and taxi on a daily basis.
especially true for aging population...
commuters can relax
farms have labor shortage

the market fundamentals are good.

I understand the thinking behind it and sounds like a good idea on the surface but there are so many variables in the real world. It works better if all other vehicles on the road are driverless, but that's not likely to happen. It sounds like it would be safer, but there is also a large number of the population that would get too complacent and distracted if/when driver interaction would be needed.

Drunk drivers don't need to drive, but then it may also give rise to more people doing so because the car will do the driving for them.

While in theory, it would be a great benefit to have better access to transportation for the elderly, but technology itself can be a barrier. Historically elderly are not quick to accept or learn the technology. How many elderly couldn't figure out how to set the clock on their VHS or other relatively simple tasks. It would be quite a long time that this technology would be affordable to all levels of society, especially the segment that would benefit the most.

I don't want commuters to feel too relaxed, while they are hurtling down the road in a couple of tons metal and flammable fuel or batteries. I think it would give people too much of a false sense of security, in that they would feel they no longer have to pay attention. There would be even more people distracted, cell phones, getting on their laptops etc and even less prepared in an emergency when their reaction and input would be needed or gotten too relaxed and dozed off. I believe most, as of now, has a setting or can disengage put simply pushing the brake, but what happens when someone accidentally pushes the brake while stretching out to relax and weren't ready to? Again that false sense of security is an issue.

I think it's a great idea for farming applications, but that is a much more controlled environment and much less variables. There are not a few thousand other tractors, or kids darting, or car doors opening on those fields. Those fields can be mapped out and the area and terrain is known.

The technology just isn't ready to release to what is, unfortunately, a largely irresponsible general public.

On a personal note, I enjoy driving and don't even like driving a car with an automatic tranny

 

[Tabascocat]

Except...it has been working mixed with regular drivers. They are safer than human drivers today.

In an extremely small sample size. I don't see good things when there are thousands on the freeways mixed with thousands being driven with a lot texting/drinking/recklessness in the process. I just think it is a recipe for disaster.

 

[The Fonz]

My question is if everything done by robots what will people be doing in the future?

 

[Roadtrip635]

No you can compare the two...because it’s the same technology. That’s what this is,software applications. It’s just trickled down tech from what the military wanted developed for a very long time.

Just because it's based on the same tech doesn't mean they can be compared. Planes are not flying a few feet from each other constantly, planes don't have to contend with another plane stopping abruptly in front of them, or someone unexpectedly opening a car door while they fly by, or a deer leaping in front of them, there's still concerns about a bird getting sucked into an engine. I can honestly say, I've never worried about a bird getting sucked into my engine and causing a catastrophic failure while driving.

 

[Kevinicus]

In an extremely small sample size. I don't see good things when there are thousands on the freeways mixed with thousands being driven with a lot texting/drinking/recklessness in the process. I just think it is a recipe for disaster.

The more they are introduced, the safer it should get. The initial period is when there are more texting/drinking/recklessness, so if it was less safe, now is the period it would show up. It has proven to be much safer.

 

[Chrispierce]

Just because it's based on the same tech doesn't mean they can be compared. Planes are not flying a few feet from each other constantly, planes don't have to contend with another plane stopping abruptly in front of them, or someone unexpectedly opening a car door while they fly by, or a deer leaping in front of them, there's still concerns about a bird getting sucked into an engine. I can honestly say, I've never worried about a bird getting sucked into my engine and causing a catastrophic failure while driving.

You’re totally going off base,and not getting it at all.

 

[Chrispierce]

Hey if you guys don’t like the technology in cars? Don’t use them. Not a big deal.

 

[Chrispierce]

Great....I’m in the same argument on FB...and getting my posts mixed up. Let me get back to this tomorrow. Got my wagons surounded in that swamp. Why did I have to go there?

 

[waldoputty]

It’s in Redwood City CA. That’s where Google is. They moved Silicon Valley up the Penisula. Biggest city rebuild in the state right now. Leveling the whole darn city and building a new one. It’s been a real treat to personally see the development of it all. But no,it’s not what people think. My particular car has self driving applications for this years model,meaning you no longer have to deal with the frustration of commutes. You simply put on cruise control,and it drives for you. You still are behind the wheel and can at anytime take over by simply pressing the brakes,or pressing off cruise control. That’s really how people need to view it...like driving with your cruise control. That’s where the tech is at in terms of daily public use. It’s like any tech...you go through testing stages,and it’s not fully developed yet.

does it change lanes? the tesla that crashed into the barrier may have got confused by the lane markers

 

[waldoputty]

I just realized...you guys aren’t driving brand new cars are you? This isn’t a “Tesla” thing....it’s a car industry thing. I don’t have a Tesla...I’m in a Mazda,and it’s already saved me 3 fender benders because I wasn’t paying attention.

you are right. did u have to pay for an option?

 

[waldoputty]

No thanks, rather trust my life to human error than a programming bug or GPS, sensor malfunction etc...

the data being record on at least some of these vehicles get sent back to some big artificial intelligence bank somewhere, so the hive mind should continue to improve

 

[Roadtrip635]

Hey if you guys don’t like the technology in cars? Don’t use them. Not a big deal.

I don't plan on using it. The OP wanted our thoughts and that's what I gave.

 

[waldoputty]

I rode in a Tesla (my brother has one). Not too shabby, but I generally like to drive when I'm in a car. I think I would feel weird in the driver's seat not driving.

i was really perturbed in a prius when the engine did not make any noticeable noise...

 

[waldoputty]

My question is if everything done by robots what will people be doing in the future?

make babies in the backseat

 

[waldoputty]

I don't plan on using it. The OP wanted our thoughts and that's what I gave.

this has been eye opening for me

 

[Roadtrip635]

this has been eye opening for me

How well does driverless tech work in weather conditions such as rain and snow or dust being kicked up by wind? I've been kinda curious about that.

 

[waldoputty]

How well does driverless tech work in weather conditions such as rain and snow or dust being kicked up by wind? I've been kinda curious about that.

driverless tech primarily rely on 3 sensors - radar, laser radar (lidar) and cameras
lidar and cameras do not work well in bad weather or with dust.
radar is ok with bad weather and with dust (farm harvesting).
the problem is radar has inferior resolution.
the best radar now can discern 2 objects separated by about 0.5 to 1 deg.
the best lidar for automobiles can do about 0.1 deg to 0.2 deg.
0.1 to 0.2 deg is what is needed to detect a motorcycle 200 meters from you.
also what is needed to tell the difference between an overpass or a truck on its side.
the other problem with radar is that it sees a lot of false positives.
the false positives are so bad that they turn off detection of stationary objects.
that is why the tesla keep running into stationary trucks.

that is why sensors are not ready.
the startup i am involved in is building radar with similar resolution to lidar and reduces the number of false positives by a lot.
if we succeed, it would be a big breakthrough.
when i talk to car companies, they basically say - i dont believe you can do it but if you prove it in a few months, we would be happy to work with you.

 

[Roadtrip635]

driverless tech primarily rely on 3 sensors - radar, laser radar (lidar) and cameras
lidar and cameras do not work well in bad weather or with dust.
radar is ok with bad weather and with dust (farm harvesting).
the problem is radar has inferior resolution.
the best radar now can discern 2 objects separated by about 0.5 to 1 deg.
the best lidar for automobiles can do about 0.1 deg to 0.2 deg.
0.1 to 0.2 deg is what is needed to detect a motorcycle 200 meters from you.
also what is needed to tell the difference between an overpass or a truck on its side.
the other problem with radar is that it sees a lot of false positives.
the false positives are so bad that they turn off detection of stationary objects.
that is why the tesla keep running into stationary trucks.

that is why sensors are not ready.
the startup i am involved in is building radar with similar resolution to lidar and reduces the number of false positives by a lot.
if we succeed, it would be a big breakthrough.
when i talk to car companies, they basically say - i dont believe you can do it but if you prove it in a few months, we would be happy to work with you.

It sounds really cool and sounds like it would be a big breakthrough with many applications. The reason I asked about how it worked in adverse weather conditions is those would be the times when people would probably be more tempted to use the driverless tech. People that don't like to drive or nervous to drive in those conditions would feel safe using the tech, but could possibly be the worst circumstances to rely on it. Could the sensors discern something like harmless side spray from rain/snow or splash from a puddle from a vehicle traveling next to you on your side from something like a motorcycle, bicycle or human? What about weather conditions that can't be seen like wind gusts? Certain times of the year when big fronts push through and can cause big gusts, going past a semi and get hit with a big gust from the side as you clear the semi.

 

[Quickdraw]

No need for driverless cars. If people would abide by the rules of the road, there'd be less accidents. Put down the cell phones and put away the makeup. Pay attention to the road and your surroundings.

My take on this is that I don't want to put my life solely in the hands of technology due to the simple fact that all technology can be hacked. There is no fail safe when it comes to technology.