Autonomous Vehicles = Madness?

[catswiththum]

Originally Posted by ebacon

What emotions are at play? Can you think forward to being in an autonomous car and wondering how you got there? What anger, if any, would be yell-worthy?

I can imagine wanting a driver to talk to. And tip.

Initial emotion would be fear of the unknown - will the car crash without me being able to prevent it?

Once/if autonomous cars become common with a good safety record, my question would be: "why do I have this autonomous car? I could have taken the train."

The autonomous car would provide privacy and more room for your own stuff than mass transit, but would eliminate the joy of driving (human control). Unfortunately that would prob. be the safest route, given human road rage and accident statistics.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by catswiththum

Initial emotion would be fear of the unknown - will the car crash without me being able to prevent it?

Once/if autonomous cars become common with a good safety record, my question would be: "why do I have this autonomous car? I could have taken the train."

The autonomous car would provide privacy and more room for your own stuff than mass transit, but would eliminate the joy of driving (human control). Unfortunately that would prob. be the safest route, given human road rage and accident statistics.

BIG differences between autonomous car and train:

1. Car goes from exactly where you are to exactly where you want to go, point to point.

2. Car goes when you're ready, no hurrying to catch it, no waiting for it.

3. Security and privacy: no strangers in your car.

[catswiththum]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

BIG differences between autonomous car and train:

1. Car goes from exactly where you are to exactly where you want to go, point to point.

2. Car goes when you're ready, no hurrying to catch it, no waiting for it.

3. Security and privacy: no strangers in your car.

Yes indeed. I will be interested to see how mainstream they become.

Will those with the means have an autonomous car for the daily, mind numbing commute and a "traditional" automobile for weekend/pleasure driving?

Will there be legal ramifications/new regulations to address operating system "software glitches?" Accident? The car did it. Check the log. I wonder how insurance companies will adjust? Prob. favorably if the accident rates go down as expected.

System security? How easy to hack? You know someone will try.