Robot Cars a Reality?

[robrob]

I think it's a good idea, and if all the cars are braking automatically at the same rate, then stopping distances wouldn't be an issue (although in reality the cars would not brake at the same rate, but the thinking distance would be much reduced). I just don't think that many people would use it, as if a lorry is the lead vehicle, then it will be much slower than driving normally.

I imagine it'd be a speed limit limited process. Presumably by "lorry" they'll mean an up to scratch, properly fitted truck, not something that can't manage to do the speed limit.

Basics seem simple, wireless connection between each vehicle reporting speed/movement/whatever that's supplemented by a camera system incase the wireless fails and emergency responses are needed. Our cars are already becoming more electronic these days, this just changes the input source.

So long as the vehicles all had compatible software, I couldn't see any big issues with this. It would be difficult to manage lane changes, but it's basically a big chain of follow the leader, or like having a long truck but having wireless connections instead.

Most car accidents are driver error too, a properly trained lead driver would probably be far safer than relying on the guy in front of you not to slam his brakes on or someone to sideswipe you.

And to those who say take the train, how does one get from the train station to where you want to go? This is for people who are going to drive anyway, they have a reason for it.

 

[Steeveeo]

Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window.

What of a computer you can drive off a cliff?

it seems like having it be a bus or truck is twofold.

Also, if the lead vehicle WERE a bus, you could convert already existing transit stations to have a vehicle queue as well as foot passengers. Imagine, a bus pulls up to the station, passengers pay their fare, then several cars pull up, "lock-in" (if you will), and pay their fare electronically. However, I still think there's an issue with people getting in the way of the line just to disrupt other drivers, but that seems like there is a fairly simple fix for that, like line barriers + ticket booths, the robotized cars detecting gaps in the line and pulling up, or something to that extent.

Engineers don't just make stuff without at least considering safety.

I contest this fact: TF2 Engineers.

 

[1gremlyn1]

I think it's a good idea, and if all the cars are braking automatically at the same rate, then stopping distances wouldn't be an issue (although in reality the cars would not brake at the same rate, but the thinking distance would be much reduced). I just don't think that many people would use it, as if a lorry is the lead vehicle, then it will be much slower than driving normally.

I imagine it'd be a speed limit limited process. Presumably by "lorry" they'll mean an up to scratch, properly fitted truck, not something that can't manage to do the speed limit.

What i meant was that on a motorway, the trucks are all in the slowest lane, so it would be a quicker jouney if you went in one of the faster lanes. But yes, it is possible to be in that lane and still be going at the speed limit, but a lot of trucks are limited to a lower speed limit than cars, so that would be passed on to the road train.

 

[Jared]

Seen this idea before. Good concept, be nice it if did work.

 

[Irridium]

Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window.

What of a computer you can drive off a cliff?

If you tried, you would be stuck in with it.

And since its a computer, an emphasis would probably be on safety, which would mean that the car would auto-lock your seatbelt and doors while moving at high speeds in order to protect you from accidents.

And besides, if they do become sentient, something tells me that it would act to stop itself from getting drivin off the cliff.

Where if my computer becomes sentient and try to take over stuff. I can unplug it, and throw it out my window.

 

[dalek sec]

Soooooo if the lead car fraks up, or gets frakked up through a flat tire or engine problems, what then?

No I'm rather wary of developments of this. For a geek and nerd, I'm pretty damn old-fashioned, techology-wise. I rather keep my fate into my own hands, not hand it to a computer, even though I'm doing that already unknowingly on a daily basis. Blech.

Count me in as well, I just don't trust techology when it comes to stuff like this.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

Engineers don't just make stuff without at least considering safety.

I contest this fact: TF2 Engineers.

Fair enough, but they consider safety from a different point of view than the real-life ones.

 

[Steeveeo]

Engineers don't just make stuff without at least considering safety.

I contest this fact: TF2 Engineers.

Fair enough, but they consider safety from a different point of view than the real-life ones.

Very good point, I guess they would take safety into account, but rather the safety of the Intel instead of the "users" of the product.

 

[Souplex]

Why do people keep on trying to create a machine uprising?