Google Lobbies Nevada To Allow Self-Driving Cars

[TrickyRicky]

Mapleson, we could argue endlessly about the details but I stand by my original opinion that I am only OK with self-driving cars if they use private separated roads and are not maintained by individual owners.

Your example of self-driving subways or trains is a perfect example. I am all for self-driving trains because they meet my criteria, separated route and vehicles not maintained by a multitude of private owners.

Actually googles test cars almost meet my criteria because they are owned by a singular corporate entity and are more like augmented driving than truly self-driving because a human is anticipating or monitoring progress.

The scenerio I would never allow if I was in government would be self-driving cars sharing the roads with a multiplicity of other users (of all kinds not just car traffic), where a multiplicity of individuals owned and were responsible for the cost and upkeep of their own private vehicles.

 

[Mapleson]

Well, I'm glad more open minds reined in Nevada. Private individuals are now responsible for the cost and upkeep of their own private vehicles, the addition of sensors does not alter that premise. I'm still more comfortable with a computer driving next to me than a drunkard or nervous nelly. I still think autonomous drivers will reduce the cost of overland shipping and increase the competitiveness of North America. It'll just take time for the technology to overcome irrational fears like yours.

 

[Mapleson]

The autonomous cars that will be our first robots
Monday, 11th July, 2011

Car makers are developing technology that paves the way for small electric vehicles that behave like robots; electric network vehicles (EN-V) will be able to drive themselves and could be sent off on their own to do the school run or pick up the weekly shop.

Car makers recognise that city vehicles of the future will need to be tiny in size, clean, energy-efficient and, given increasing levels of congestion in towns and cities, able to communicate with each other to make best use of limited road space.

BMW, Ford and GM are working on vehicle-to-vehicle technology that allows cars to communicate with each other – a first step towards fully-autonomous Electric Networked Vehicles (EN-Vs) fitted with sensors, cameras, wireless communication and GPS navigation that can drive without any input from the driver.

The GM EN-V uses similar technology to the Segway to travel 25 miles at 25mph, a range and performance possible in part because the vehicle does away with many of the sophisticated, but heavy, safety features that are now fitted as standard to all cars.

Tom Brown from the research and development department at General Motors (GM) told the BBC this week: “Unlike a conventional car, which is designed to prevent its passengers and pedestrians in the event of a crash, the EN-V is more like an aircraft, in that it is designed to avoid crashing in the first place.”

[video=youtube;v-K8YG1udfs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-K8YG1udfs[/video]