Self-Driving cars / autos merged threadfest

[Lannis]

I'm going to bet that self driving cars will be here sooner than many think. You wouldn't need to own/maintain it. Just get on your comm device..whatever that is.. and a car shows up at your doorstep. Get in, tell it where to go, pop open a beer, and surf WG on the way.
The technology is here, now.

The technology has been here for years for self-flying airplanes, and airliners.

Why on EARTH do the airlines pay senior captains $150,000 a year to sit in a cockpit, and a co-pilot next to him, when it's completely useless to do so?

Whatever it is, it's the same reason that (outside of very specific and limited conditions), there won't be self-driving cars all over the place ....

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

The technology has been here for years for self-flying airplanes, and airliners.

Why on EARTH do the airlines pay senior captains $150,000 a year to sit in a cockpit, and a co-pilot next to him, when it's completely useless to do so?

Whatever it is, it's the same reason that (outside of very specific and limited conditions), there won't be self-driving cars all over the place ....

Lannis

Well, actually an airplane has to deal with 3D rather than 2D. And weather. *Much* more complicated. Sure, most of the time it's on autopilot. When it's not is where they earn their money.
I'll bet there are self driving cars in big cities in my (limited) <sigh> lifetime.   

[Lannis]

Well, actually an airplane has to deal with 3D rather than 2D. And weather. *Much* more complicated. Sure, most of the time it's on autopilot. When it's not is where they earn their money.
I'll bet there are self driving cars in big cities in my (limited) <sigh> lifetime.   

The 3D argument is a bit really fatally weak.   Computers don't care about 3D vs 2D, that's strictly a human limitation.    Maintaining altitude, following GPS-generated flight paths and approach glide-slopes, and maintaining distance from other planes is WAY simpler than trying to do the same thing on a crowded highway in a car.

The real reason is that someone with eyes and a brain has to be there to take over if the computer finds a situation that it hasn't been programmed to deal with.  And that'll never change.

I was going to take on your wager, but I realized that if I win and you didn't put the winning wager in your will, I'm hosed.   Or maybe I'll go first, then it's YOU on the hook ....

Lannis

[oldbike54]

Well, actually an airplane has to deal with 3D rather than 2D. And weather. *Much* more complicated. Sure, most of the time it's on autopilot. When it's not is where they earn their money.
I'll bet there are self driving cars in big cities in my (limited) <sigh> lifetime.   

 Yep , and once they start gaining traction it will happen really fast . Young folks don't want to be bothered with things like driving , and us old folks are , well , old  Remember how much resistance there was to wearing seat belts , and the lap belts , and where the resistance came from ?

  Dusty

[canuguzzi]

In today's news Tesla got to about the 90% mark. By next week, its cars will have the update and for most commute style driving, will drive themselves.

Faster than we thought.

[Lannis]

In today's news Tesla got to about the 90% mark. By next week, its cars will have the update and for most commute style driving, will drive themselves.

Faster than we thought.

It's always getting ready to get ready to happen.   We'll see.   No tricks or guardo moves with "commute style driving", either.   Just driving.

Lannis

[Penderic]

Used to be easier to ride in traffic before cellphones, when the drivers were more focused on driving!

 

[LowRyter]

Well.... it is difficult to look cool hip on those new bikes with a huge helmet covering your face!

Cant ride properly without mah foxtail!

yeah,  but the cars weren't any safer.  Steel dash, no seatbelts, no crush zones, lots of glass, strong frames/weak bodies, drum brakes, approximate steering, bias tires, extra weight induced inertia and lots of ashtrays.
 

[Chuck in Indiana]

The 3D argument is a bit really fatally weak.   Computers don't care about 3D vs 2D, that's strictly a human limitation.    Maintaining altitude, following GPS-generated flight paths and approach glide-slopes, and maintaining distance from other planes is WAY simpler than trying to do the same thing on a crowded highway in a car.

The real reason is that someone with eyes and a brain has to be there to take over if the computer finds a situation that it hasn't been programmed to deal with.  And that'll never change.

I was going to take on your wager, but I realized that if I win and you didn't put the winning wager in your will, I'm hosed.   Or maybe I'll go first, then it's YOU on the hook ....

Lannis

Obviously.. or not..  you haven't driven an airplane much. There is weather that changes pretty rapidly and needs a brain at the controls occasionally.  Wind shear, for instance. Not really predictable, but deadly if not acted upon... or avoided by someone with a brain. That's *not* the only case, just an example.
Airline pilots are underpaid, IMHO.
On the wager, it's a lose lose situation for us. 

[Lannis]

Obviously.. or not..  you haven't driven an airplane much.

No, I haven't - but if I were 13 years old I could take pilot training, at 14 could solo in a glider, and get my full license at 16 .... younger than a full license in a car in many places.    If a computer can deal with a deer jumping in front of a car, or a bicyclist swerving into the lane, I'll betcha it can deal with wind-shear quicker than a person can.   It's what computers DO ....

But ... as I keep saying but I can't resist responding ... we'll know soon!

Lannis

[bobbyfromnc]

I like this. It puts things in perspective (mortality usually does). Motorcycling is fun, it keeps me feeling vital and young, but at the same time I feel no need for more horsepower than I can have with any 70's era bike -- that is, enough to kill me or get me arrested. I no longer race but I do like a brisk ride at reasonable angles.

Kudos to Harley, a company that learned to build a whole culture around its products. It's not my culture, but it's a brilliant phenomenon.

I agree with this statement!

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Decided to go on a chilly ride this morning and stopped by a major motorcycle dealer who sells the four major Japanese brands.  The big 4 basically build three road bike styles ...Harley look-a-likes, Racers, and Adventure bikes.

It was a refreshing ride home on my Guzzi.

[Triple Jim]

The big 4 basically build three road bike styles ...Harley look-a-likes, Racers, and Adventure bikes.

Luckily it looks like a fourth category has emerged, which includes some motorcycles like the Ninja 300 and the KTM 390. 

[fotoguzzi]

Look Ma no hands..



right down US 169 at hwy speeds. the car did all the driving, slowing, changing lanes etc.



The future is upon us..



I didn't ask to drive it, what would be the point?

[canuguzzi]

How is that any different than what the other 99% of commuters do on a daily basis?

You know, that guy has to hold his hands like that the entire time in case something goes bonkers. Its usually the other driver doing the dirty deed so he really can't relax much.

Reminds me to stay away from Teslas.

[fotoguzzi]

it's safer . the car will stop itself before crashing

[canuguzzi]

it's safer . the car will stop itself before crashing

What happens though: car behind, you riding on the left and the guy on the right moves into the Teslas lane?

Calculation...bike causes less damage, move over and on top of bike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Seems like I remember a certain member who's name starts with an L saying it'll never happen.. 

[PJPR01]

Just curious...why would a self driving car need a steering wheel?  (Somewhat serious question)...

Is there a manual override option here so when it goes into the shop it can actually be driven in, or does it maneuver itself onto the rack for an inspection?

[oldbike54]

How is that any different than what the other 99% of commuters do on a daily basis?

You know, that guy has to hold his hands like that the entire time in case something goes bonkers. Its usually the other driver doing the dirty deed so he really can't relax much.

Reminds me to stay away from Teslas.

 I think he is holding his hands like that either because he is Italian and must use his hands to speak , or more likely to accentuate the fact that the car is driving its self .

  Did hear something about the Google car getting pulled over by the po po . One wonders how that exchange went ? " Drivers license and registration please." Silence . "Oh , being a smart guy huh , step out of the car. "
Silence . "Now SIR , out of the car." Silence . "OK , now you are in a heap o' trouble." Silence .

  Dusty

[pauldaytona]

It does only selfdrive on motorways, not in the city. Thats to difficult still.

[fotoguzzi]

It does only selfdrive on motorways, not in the city. Thats to difficult still.

it self drives anywhere you can set speed with cruise control.

I think he is holding his hands like that either because he is Italian and must use his hands to speak 

State Representative Pat Garofalo that sound Italian?

[oldbike54]

it self drives anywhere you can set speed with cruise control.

 The Google car can self drive anywhere that has been mapped for such purposes , surface streets , freeways , deal with stop lights , etc . Don't know why the Tesla would be limited .

  Dusty

[pauldaytona]

So it self drives on the ten lane Los Angeles freeways?

[fotoguzzi]

Yep it can and they are probably already doing so.. you wanna change lanes just turn on the signal and it does it..

for you current owners the software can be bought and installed in your existing tesla.

[stormshearon]

So when a Tesla in auto-pilot mode hits something\someone - whose fault is it? The owner or Tesla? OR both? Or whomever has the deepest pockets?

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Just shocking!

[oldbike54]

So when a Tesla in auto-pilot mode hits something\someone - whose fault is it? The owner or Tesla? OR both? Or whomever has the deepest pockets?

 A very good question . My understanding based on nothing but some reading is that the self driving cars will require insurance the same as driver operated cars . The insurance companies seem to be discussing lower rates on Google cars based on a decreased risk . Still , a very good question that probably has not been answered completely yet .

  Dusty

[fotoguzzi]

In  the Tesla there must be a "driver" in the seat and he is liable for any action the car takes.

[pauldaytona]

driver stays always responsible. Also what Tesla thinks, they can't take responsibility for all tesla accidents.