Driverless cars could change everything

[DaFace]

Thought this article was cool to think about.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-28376929

Driverless cars could change everything


For now, it seems like a novelty - cars that can operate independently of human control, safely cruising down streets thanks to an array of sensors and pinpoint GPS navigation.

But if the technology avoids getting crushed by government regulators and product liability lawsuits, writes the Federalist's Dan McLaughlin, it could prompt a cultural shift similar to the early 20th century move away from horses as the primary means of transportation.

First and foremost, he writes, the spread of driverless cars will likely greatly reduce the number of traffic accidents - which currently cost Americans $871b (£510b) a year.

"A truly driverless road would not be accident-free, given the number of accidents that would still be caused by mechanical and computer errors, weather conditions, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and sheer random chance," he says. "But it would make the now-routine loss of life and limb on the roads far rarer."

Computer-operated cars would eventually reshape car design, he says, as things like windshields - "a large and vulnerable piece of glass" - become less necessary. Drivers will be able to sit wherever they'd like in their cars, which could make car interiors more like mobile lounges than like cockpits.

The age required to operate a driverless car is likely to drop, he says. There could be an impact on the legal drinking age, as well, as preventing drunk driving was one of the prime justifications for the US-wide setting minimum age to purchase alcohol at 21 years old.

There's other possible economic fallout, McLaughlin contends, such as a restructuring of the auto insurance industry, the obsolescence of taxi drivers and lower ratings for drive-time radio programmes.

The high-tech security state will also get boost, he writes, as GPS-tagged cars will be easier to track, making life difficult for fugitives and car thieves. Police will also be able to move resources away from operations like traffic enforcement.

Of course, he writes, the towns that rely on speed traps to fund their government services will be facing budget shortfalls. Privacy advocates could also get an unexpected boost, he notes, since traffic stops are one of the main justifications for police vehicle searches.

Finally, there's the prospect of the as-yet-unrealised futurist dream of flying cars. With computer-controlled vehicles that strictly follow traffic rules, McLaughlin says, "the potential for three-dimensional roads becomes a lot less scary and more a matter of simply solving the technological challenge".

Where we're going, we may not need roads after all.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

The Rich Jerk BMW X5 - "The RJ Model has a top speed of 150 mph. It tailgates, cuts off other drivers, and has an automated middle finger attachment to show your disdain for others. The RJ features built-in communication software that will override Baseline and Classic Vehicles and force them to pull over to the side of the road as you streak by. If you drive an RJ, you'll own the road."

Does it come in apricot?

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Does it come in apricot?

That's the only color it would come in.

[Beef Supreme]

Driverless cars = The driverless car bomb.

[JakeLV]

Good bye revenue from traffic tickets...

Wait... what's that? Government doesn't easily give up revenue sources and takes steps to cut it off at the knees?

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Driverless cars = The driverless car bomb.

The Government is already listing that as a reason why we shouldn't move to this.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I was actually arguing that if a Google car level effort would be put forward on building a robot golfer, that it would be able to shoot 36 to 45 for 18 holes. Some were saying that the best robot that could be built would struggle to break 100.

Driving a car is infinitely easier than hitting an 80.

[kaplin42]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Impossible. If a robot golfer can't break par, there is no way it will ever be able to drive a car as well as a human.

I live in Los Angeles, and let me tell you, it cannot get much worse. The amount of stupid shit I see on my daily commute is staggering. Texting while driving, driving while on the phone, doing 45 in the fast lane on a freeway where the speed limit is 65, making right turns from the far left lane in the middle of heavy traffic. I mean to be honest, a four way stop sign is more than most of the drivers around here can figure out, so I absolutely think that if it could be a really good thing to take the human equation out of driving.

I do believe however that there should be a manual override in case of emergency.

[kaplin42]

Originally Posted by Bacon Cheeseburger

**** this bullshit. If you're not capable of operating a motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner you can stay the **** off the roads.

While I agree with your statement 100%, unfortunately the law doesn't. We have a no texting while driving law here in California, but you can't roll past a police car with out seeing them on their phones.

Being conscious is barely a prerequisite to being given a drivers license.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by kaplin42

I live in Los Angeles, and let me tell you, it cannot get much worse. The amount of stupid shit I see on my daily commute is staggering. Texting while driving, driving while on the phone, doing 45 in the fast lane on a freeway where the speed limit is 65, making right turns from the far left lane in the middle of heavy traffic. I mean to be honest, a four way stop sign is more than most of the drivers around here can figure out, so I absolutely think that if it could be a really good thing to take the human equation out of driving.

I do believe however that there should be a manual override in case of emergency.

DFW is the exact same.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by DaFace

On the "not so happy" side, this would cause a ton of industries to be completely and totally screwed. Truck drivers immediately come to mind.

**** them.

[Kman34]

I think I would be a little nervous about the driver-less Semi Truck and Dump truck.

[Valiant]

Hopefully everyone in OP gets one. Finally be able to pass on the left for once.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Valiant

Hopefully everyone in the state of Missouri gets one. Finally be able to pass on the left for once.

FYP

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by tooge

Booty calls would be much more prevalent. Imagine leaving the bar and stumbling into the car and saying "jenny's house".

... And all the drunken psycho stalker exes.

*stumbling out of the bar into the car*

"Drive by Jenny's house 14 times."

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Kman34

I think I would be a little nervous about the driver-less Semi Truck and Dump truck.

Eh, it takes more look ahead, but I think it's doable.