Are you ready, here they come!

[Xist]

I think that the one aspect of driving that can be predicted the least is human drivers, so for autonomous driving to be safest, it would need to be 100%. What would they do, mandate that new cars come with this standard and that existing cars be upgraded? How many cars would they allow to receive this? Probably only ones meeting new and stricter emission and safety standards.

[botsapper]

It's already been tested on our highways, remember the 1997 NAHSC autonomous Buicks platooning on the I-5 HOV lanes in California.

Darn Google, already had a head start and its wonderful, Luddites!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgQpa1pUUE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csvt6JBAwBk

[jamesqf]

Not exactly news: Nevada has had similar regulations for years.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by Xist

I think that the one aspect of driving that can be predicted the least is human drivers, so for autonomous driving to be safest, it would need to be 100%. What would they do, mandate that new cars come with this standard and that existing cars be upgraded? How many cars would they allow to receive this? Probably only ones meeting new and stricter emission and safety standards.

The current generation of autonomous vehicles does not require that all vehicles are autonomous. Other vehicles are obstacles to be avoided. Yes, to be "safest", all should be autonomous, but I can already foresee the firestorm if there is a hint that ALL vehicles must be autonomous...

However, even in the case of a non-autonomous driver trying to do something incredibly stupid (like run a red light or cross over into oncoming traffic), I would expect an autonomous vehicle react "more correctly" than the vast majority of human drivers... that is, the autonomous vehicle won't panic or freeze up.

[Frank Lee]

Perhaps we should just eliminate humans and have everything be autonomous.

[California98Civic]

Call it the "Herbie Law"

[botsapper]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

However, even in the case of a non-autonomous driver trying to do something incredibly stupid (like run a red light or cross over into oncoming traffic), I would expect an autonomous vehicle react "more correctly" than the vast majority of human drivers... that is, the autonomous vehicle won't panic or freeze up.

Autonomous vehicles would have reactive systems deploy in the event of unavoidable catastrophic events; relatively safer collision avoidance (non-autonomous vehicles, vehicle failures or 'sudden' obstacles) maneuvers, seat adjustments/belt tensioners, pre-collision slower airbag deployments, first-responder calls and location tracking (water submersion, cliff falls, MH 370...)

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Flakbadger

I feel like within the next 10-15 years, we will be seeing "autonomous vehicle only" lanes in busy cities, just like you see carpool lanes now. As more autonomous-capable vehicles enter the roadways, there will be busy sections of freeway that are predominantly autonomous-only, and soon there will only be single lanes for human-driven vehicles. I'll bet you anything the stop-and-go bull**** would be reduced.

Don't be too sure:
Physics Buzz: Jerks actually reduce the risk of traffic jams

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Xist

What? The cutting-edge technologies of Autocorrect and Siri do not inspire you with confidence when your life is on the line?

Where does the passenger push CTL-ALT-DEL when the blue-screen of death suddenly appears on the NAV screen?

[darcane]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

1. I look forward to having my car drop me off, go home and recharge, and then pick me up at a location I specify with the phone app I'm using. No more looking for parking spots, no more parking fees.

That will double your fuel use and increase traffic congestion.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

2. Traffic lights are annoying and inefficient. One day cars will calculate the most efficient speed to travel, be aware of other vehicles and mesh through intersections without stopping. No more stopping until you arrive at your destination.

How would automated car fix that? Where I live now, all the traffic lights are triggered off sensors in the street. This often leads to randomness in the timing of the lights.

This drives me batty since I used to drive live near a city that used timed lights and I could drive from one side to the other without stopping! Without an automated car.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I wonder why people are worried by this and want to resist the inevitable?

I actually enjoy driving and a car is more to me than an appliance to get from point A to point B.

I've also worked in IT and often saw failures in automation when unexpected events happened...

However, I'm not really against them, I just don't want one for myself.