Automated cars

[The Cowboy]

@Bruce Wayne

I believe trials of the first automated cars is coming in next year. I am all for this.

Question is: what happens to existing normal cars? Can they be converted? Will they be forced to be converted? Will there be all sorts of craziness on the roads when some Johnny Boy Racer tries to cut up a connected road train?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Insurance the obstacle.

Who is liable in the event of a crash?

 

[roydo]

Mrs R reckons our car is automated. She never drives it thats for sure.

 

[sageyefc]

Doubt you'll see an affordable version for the masses for a least a decade

 

[The Cowboy]

Doubt you'll see an affordable version for the masses for a least a decade

The technology isn't that advanced. Assuming the car would be auto gearbox, you just need the GPS, proximity sensor on the front, and a smart cruise control mechanism.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

I work in the industry and the technology is already there.

Park assist, radar controlled cruise control, lane change technology and extremely accurate and reactive Nav systems are already on decent spec cars on the market.

The next step is to combine the lot and allow the machine to take complete control.

GOT is spot on though, the major obstacle is the liability element. The manufacturer who goes first with this will need balls the size of cantaloupe melons, as the potential liabilities should it fail (and cars / technology breaks!) is beyond vast.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

@Bruce Wayne

I believe trials of the first automated cars is coming in next year. I am all for this.

Question is: what happens to existing normal cars? Can they be converted? Will they be forced to be converted? Will there be all sorts of craziness on the roads when some Johnny Boy Racer tries to cut up a connected road train?

Aye, Vince Cable announced a thing about this yesterday. As for the old cars, I'd imagine it would be something akin to when they got the old gas guzzlers off the roads. Part exchange type thing.

To be honest though, I suspect the technology will be the least of the worries with this. I suspect the tech will exist long before they're on our roads, so it would seem possible for new cars to have the capability in them before they are actually allowed, it just won't be activated.

 

[roydo]

If you tried to nick one, would it run away?

 

[sageyefc]

Bit lazy too, dont think id ever have one

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I work in the industry and the technology is already there.

Park assist, radar controlled cruise control, lane change technology and extremely accurate and reactive Nav systems are already on decent spec cars on the market.

The next step is to combine the lot and allow the machine to take complete control.

GOT is spot on though, the major obstacle is the liability element. The manufacturer who goes first with this will need balls the size of cantaloupe melons, as the potential liabilities should it fail (and cars / technology breaks!) is beyond vast.

Is it likely to fail though? Google seem to have driven a bloody long way with their car without any incidents.

 

[tmgc]

I wonder if they'll be fitted with a drinks cabinet ? Feet up , nice glass of wine and a good book.

Make the long journey home easier.

 

[The Cowboy]

I work in the industry and the technology is already there.

Park assist, radar controlled cruise control, lane change technology and extremely accurate and reactive Nav systems are already on decent spec cars on the market.

The next step is to combine the lot and allow the machine to take complete control.

GOT is spot on though, the major obstacle is the liability element. The manufacturer who goes first with this will need balls the size of cantaloupe melons, as the potential liabilities should it fail (and cars / technology breaks!) is beyond vast.

Wouldn't this need to be a govt led initiative? If they made automated-only lanes on some motorways then the insurance risk would be reduced.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Is it likely to fail though? Google seem to have driven a bloody long way with their car without any incidents.

The testing will have to be extremely extensive before it'll become practical, however it will happen at some point in the none too distant

Will it fail? Yes of course, we're talking about computer processors and extremely delicate and complex CANbus wiring systems, and they will suffer from both manufacturing defect and the modern car's worst demon - water ingress.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

If I can crystal ball for a minute, if you look at how things are going with the likes of Uber, it's steadily becoming acceptable not to own a car at all, but rent one when you need one.

It begs the question therefore whether that will eventually be the norm, and people rarely own their own car, but instead call up Jonny Cab whenever they need driving to somewhere? You wouldn't have to worry about parking then as the car would go off to its next 'job'.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

I wonder if they'll be fitted with a drinks cabinet ? Feet up , nice glass of wine and a good book.

Make the long journey home easier.

I saw a new car that's due for launch in the new year last week, and one of it's accessories is an expresso machine! I [Poor language removed] you not.