I think autonomous vehicles have their place, but obviously it's going to take a while to perfect and adapt. No doubt there's growing pains in both tech and infrastructure along with having to adapt to the way people drive nowadays. I feel bad for the system that has to deal with Dallas drivers... Give me robots over them any day!

One thing I do like is "assisted" driving. Meaning something that helps avoid collisions or drowsy/distracted driving, situations like that is where it shines IMO. And yes I know people shouldn't be texting or eating or reading or knitting sweaters while driving, but they do...

Looks like someones daydreamin' bout warmer places.
110 today in Brisbane ...... not the hottest of places either!
Call ya tomorrow.

Michael H. wrote:

Raymond_B wrote:

One thing I do like is "assisted" driving. Meaning something that helps avoid collisions or drowsy/distracted driving, situations like that is where it shines IMO. And yes I know people shouldn't be texting or eating or reading or knitting sweaters while driving, but they do...

I don't like the idea of the computer braking for me.
1.  That means that it must be using brake-by-wire. I still prefer a manual connection between my brake booster and pedal.
2.  What happens when the sensor fails and it suddenly decides to slam on the brakes for no reason when I'm going 70 down the interstate?

I *generally* trust the OEM implementations of items like these, and I imagine if properly engineered a failure would result in no action rather than action. I also do not think collision avoidance would require braking by wire. But sure anything is possible I guess, heck an airbag could go off in your face, a computer controlled trans could go in to 1st, anti-lock could go haywire, aliens could EMP us, etc, etc.
 

Michael H. wrote:

Raymond_B wrote:

... aliens could EMP us...

Don't be silly... It'll be the Russians or the Chinese who EMP us...or maybe North Korea...  But hey, my old mustang will still run after the EMP (once I install the points and condensor back in the distributor cause the pertronix will most likely be fried by the EMP).

Ha, very true! You know I remember some discussion somewhere talking about "hardened" military vehicles setup to minimize the effects of an EMP. Someone pointed out how a huge part of the Russian military was very old and without electronics and in that case was at an advantage.
 

I saw a comic in yesterdays paper. Nascar was meeting and said driverless cars would be great, wouldn't have to pay any drivers for winning.