Autonomous cars... Would you own one?

[Ghost Ryder]

Found this artical on the matter:
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2013/11/buyers-show-increasing-interest-in-autonomous-vehicles/

They say insurance rates could drop by eliminating human error from the driving experiance. Some people say that if-or-when they come about, that they would never take manually to the wheel again. Imo it seems that they would have a place among us for sure. Personally I love the driving experiance. The start of the engine, feel of the road, and humm of a sweet exhaust note. I would assume the first autonomous cars would probably still be an internal combustion vehical, but it just wouldn't be the same. More like riding in a mobile doctor's office with the music of your choice.

With that said, I would only own one to replace the family car, a.k.a. "the grocery getter ". I would be nice to either relax when you can on really busy days in crappy traffic, or multi-task for that matter.

Over all how ever, I believe there will be another generation or two of daily divers who preffer manual operation. That may dwindel down to a specific group of automotive purists in the years to come when electric (or what ever alt energy source they come out with) are used in conjuction with autonomous vehicles. I say vehicles, because it is my personal belief that a vehicle can be built to get you from point A to point B, but a car is built to be driven-

 

[RedRyder]

This is just another step toward removing the responsibility from the driver, which there are already strides in with “driver aids” like park assist, lane change warning, auto cruise control, accident avoidance auto braking, blind spot warning, etc etc. Some of these things are even becoming federally mandated, much like TPMS sensors were in 2010. I’m not surprised if a fully autonomous car eventually becomes the norm. If you actually read the names of “driver aids” and what they mean…it’s really just making people more irresponsible and less aware.

The reality is that driving is generally being viewed in a more utilitarian light as time passes. One example of that is the decline of manual transmissions…autos have become more dependable than they use to be, as well as efficient. In the eyes of many, there is no point to a manual transmission anymore. For many people there is no joy or art form to driving, it’s just a task people perform on a daily basis. It’s something that “gets done” rather than enjoyed. Economy and safety are the buzz words nowadays with the general consumer market, only with certain cars and target markets are words like “performance” and “fun” made paramount, which are a very small portion of the industry.

Anyway, to answer the question …no, I would not own an autonomous vehicle. When it comes to cars I am a purist, and on principle alone I would not buy a car that drives itself. I don’t care how cost efficient it is or how much sense it makes in any regard, I will stare practicality in the face and happily give it the stink eye.

 

[DarkSideAccord]

hell yeah, i'd buy one in a heartbeat as a commuter car..imagine all the stress (mentally and physically) i can get rid of with this technology

 

[Ghost Ryder]

hell yeah, i'd buy one in a heartbeat as a commuter car..imagine all the stress (mentally and physically) i can get rid of with this technology

I just thought of something. Riding in one of these if they where to be crimpled by some major software malfunction during rush hour, could give a whole new meaning to "The Blue Screen of Death".

 

[RedRyder]

^Well there will be an Apple version that never gets viruses but costs twice as much to buy and fix. But it will use Google Maps for the NAV at least so you don’t end up in a volcano.

 

[Brad2274]

ive built a couple robots with autonomous and manual modes for competition, it's actually not that complicated, it's just applying it to our streets that's tricky.
no doubt we will see them soon but the big problem theyre trying to figure out right now is fault and liability, what if one of these cars runs someone over on autopilot? does insurance pay like they usually do? would the carmaker pay for slow reaction time/sensor blind spot? or would the driver pay for not engaging manual override and avoiding said person? talked with some people working on this technology and it's gonna get figured out, but that's one of the big holdups before they can be produced and sold

 

[Varnell]

I can definitely see this happening. I think the way roads are constructed will need to be changed, though. I'm sure there will need to be more guidance for the autonomous cars to traverse all the obstacles that we, as manual drivers, encounter.

Would I want one? Not particularly. Driving is one of the few things I get to thoroughly enjoy.

 

[hondatech03]

I would never own one. I don't want my life dependent on a machine. Instead of replacing people with machines we need bring back the era of when owning car and driving was fun. ex: 1967-1971 and 1985-2000

I will stare practicality in the face and happily give it the stink eye.

This made me laugh.

 

[DarkSideAccord]

liability would prob be on the manufacturer initially if they want to start selling this new technology to the general public... an easy way to ease this new tech onto our current transportation system would prob be having a lane dedicated to these types of cars... or maybe utilize the current HOV/carpool lanes?

 

[Brad2274]

I would never own one. I don't want my life dependent on a machine. Instead of replacing people with machines we need bring back the era of when owning car and driving was fun. ex: 1967-1971 and 1985-2000

lol i was thinking more of like the 1920s and 30s when it was a privilege to own and drive a car, where glove boxes held your driving gloves and cap, taking a car out meant you were gonna have some fun.

Although i do see the comfort and use in commuting via autonomous cars, just wont be for me anytime soon, as much as i love building and designing robots, i still dont trust them all systems can have flaws and fail, a car autopilot is one i just wont risk