If it saves 3 lives but causes 2 others to be lost then no, IMHO, not worth it. It's not all about net lives lost to me. It's about certain people that are careful drivers and wouldn't have lost their lives otherwise. Don't forget that many of those 33 K deaths were the result of people doing stupid things and driving recklessly.
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Self-Driving Car: Is it a big deal?
- Thread starter apacheguy
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If it saves 3 lives but causes 2 others to be lost then no, IMHO, not worth it. It's not all about net lives lost to me. It's about certain people that are careful drivers and wouldn't have lost their lives otherwise. Don't forget that many of those 33 K deaths were the result of people doing stupid things and driving recklessly.
Just out of curiosity, apacheguy, have you ever been in an at-fault accident? I'm not baiting you - I'm sincere. I've been in a couple of minor dings in 37 years of driving - not a bad record and nothing but a photo-radar speeding ticket and late inspection ticket in the last 20 years.
The thing about "autopilot" is that it never gets tired. Never has a bad day. Never has a fight with it's wife. Never gets distracted trying to figure out how it's going to pay for it's kid's college. It looks everywhere, all the time, front back and side. It sees every slice of what you can see all at once and plenty that you CAN'T see.
As the programming gets better and better, I'm pretty sure the insurance companies are going to drive the issue (pardon the pun). As near as I can tell, the only thing I can think of that can, in practicality NOT be handled by an autopilot (other than things falling from the sky - and even then it could pull over with a smashed windshield that you might not be able to see out of) is if you get rammed from behind while crowded in traffic on all side (i.e. no place for the car to go to get out of the way of whatever is coming up behind you).
I love driving. I really do. One of the most exciting things I've done was a couple of months ago when I got a chance at a NASCAR Racing Experience - topping out at 154+ MPH all alone in the car with just the spotter in my ear. I loved it!
Having an autopilot, though, might make me love it even more. On my drudge-filled commutes, I wouldn't have to pay so much attention. I could have more fun driving when I WANT to drive instead of wasting that energy when I HAVE to commute.
The thing about "autopilot" is that it never gets tired. Never has a bad day. Never has a fight with it's wife. Never gets distracted trying to figure out how it's going to pay for it's kid's college. It looks everywhere, all the time, front back and side. It sees every slice of what you can see all at once and plenty that you CAN'T see.
As the programming gets better and better, I'm pretty sure the insurance companies are going to drive the issue (pardon the pun). As near as I can tell, the only thing I can think of that can, in practicality NOT be handled by an autopilot (other than things falling from the sky - and even then it could pull over with a smashed windshield that you might not be able to see out of) is if you get rammed from behind while crowded in traffic on all side (i.e. no place for the car to go to get out of the way of whatever is coming up behind you).
I love driving. I really do. One of the most exciting things I've done was a couple of months ago when I got a chance at a NASCAR Racing Experience - topping out at 154+ MPH all alone in the car with just the spotter in my ear. I loved it!
Having an autopilot, though, might make me love it even more. On my drudge-filled commutes, I wouldn't have to pay so much attention. I could have more fun driving when I WANT to drive instead of wasting that energy when I HAVE to commute.
I find it interesting that out of 50 cars there have been 4 minor fender benders (going less than 10 mi/hr), but only two of those the cars were actually running in self-driving mode. Meaning, in two of the accidents car was manual, and it was human-fault.
i wonder
1) why it doesn't say total miles driven by self driving cars, and how two accidents per x miles compares to all cars under human control
2) when and if self-driving cars become legal, how many accidents will happen in transition period, when cars have two modes (human controls, auto-controls), from distracted drivers expecting car to do everything for them when they are misusing the technology?
I know some folks are afraid of self-driving cars, but all quotes I have seen in the media show it will save many lives.
i wonder
1) why it doesn't say total miles driven by self driving cars, and how two accidents per x miles compares to all cars under human control
2) when and if self-driving cars become legal, how many accidents will happen in transition period, when cars have two modes (human controls, auto-controls), from distracted drivers expecting car to do everything for them when they are misusing the technology?
I know some folks are afraid of self-driving cars, but all quotes I have seen in the media show it will save many lives.
Skotty
2014 S P85 | 2023 F-150L
I wish people were not so into the whole self-driving car craze. I sincerely believe the self-driving features will never be able to live up to the public's expectations. It will be a massive headache for car companies who try, putting endless hours into sensors and software while being berated by their customers for it not being better.
People seem to think driving for a computer would be easy, in part because it is easy for a human. But I believe it's actually one of the more difficult things you could try to make a computer do. The highway system is designed for humans with brains, intuition, judgement, compassion, and the ability to deal with unexpected situations (example: sure, run over a small animal if it's safer but don't run over a toddler). Trying to make a computer do that is a herculean undertaking that I'm not convinced can be done. I think a lot of people are not giving enough credit to the incredible abilities of the human brain and sensory system. And I'm not a naysayer. I think we can definitely put a human colony on Mars. We can power the world with renewables. We will crack fusion power. Auto-pilot driver assist features? Sure. But self-driving cars on existing roads? I have serious doubts it can be done in a short time frame. Maybe in a few hundred years of software and sensor evolution and refinement. Maybe sooner if we modify the roads to be friendlier to automated systems.
Also, as cold as it sounds at first, saving lives is not the only variable in play. You could save lives by making the interstate speed limits 35 MPH. You could save lives by banning skydiving, rock climbing, skiing, football, and any other potentially hazardous recreational activity. You could save lives by sending all of the surplus wealth of first world countries to support third world countries (okay, that one seems a little harsh -- maybe consider sending ALL of your own extra wealth to organizations who work to improve the health of others). Who's in favor? Besides, risking your life is a part of living. It's just a matter of how the risks are balanced. A certain amount of risk is accepted and often even desired.
People seem to think driving for a computer would be easy, in part because it is easy for a human. But I believe it's actually one of the more difficult things you could try to make a computer do. The highway system is designed for humans with brains, intuition, judgement, compassion, and the ability to deal with unexpected situations (example: sure, run over a small animal if it's safer but don't run over a toddler). Trying to make a computer do that is a herculean undertaking that I'm not convinced can be done. I think a lot of people are not giving enough credit to the incredible abilities of the human brain and sensory system. And I'm not a naysayer. I think we can definitely put a human colony on Mars. We can power the world with renewables. We will crack fusion power. Auto-pilot driver assist features? Sure. But self-driving cars on existing roads? I have serious doubts it can be done in a short time frame. Maybe in a few hundred years of software and sensor evolution and refinement. Maybe sooner if we modify the roads to be friendlier to automated systems.
Also, as cold as it sounds at first, saving lives is not the only variable in play. You could save lives by making the interstate speed limits 35 MPH. You could save lives by banning skydiving, rock climbing, skiing, football, and any other potentially hazardous recreational activity. You could save lives by sending all of the surplus wealth of first world countries to support third world countries (okay, that one seems a little harsh -- maybe consider sending ALL of your own extra wealth to organizations who work to improve the health of others). Who's in favor? Besides, risking your life is a part of living. It's just a matter of how the risks are balanced. A certain amount of risk is accepted and often even desired.
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I understand the caution, but I'm optimistic it will work. I think it would help if you first set limits, making only certain areas autonomous, and then spread the action outward. And hundred of years? If you read the theories on AI, we would have Superintelligence before your world of driving cars. hahaha. So I think it will come quickly quite nicely.
Canuck
Well-Known Member
Who’s Responsible when a Driverless Car Crashes? Tesla’s Got an Idea - WSJ
"The Silicon Valley electric car maker will soon begin equipping newer Model S sedans with semiautonomous features, including the capability to pass other cars without driver intervention. That feature will be activated by hitting the turn signal, according to people familiar with the technology. Hitting the turn signal not only tells the car it can pass, but also ensures the driver has given thought to whether the maneuver is safe."
Is another turn stalk required for this feature? If not, what if I am actually turning or just changing lanes?
"The Silicon Valley electric car maker will soon begin equipping newer Model S sedans with semiautonomous features, including the capability to pass other cars without driver intervention. That feature will be activated by hitting the turn signal, according to people familiar with the technology. Hitting the turn signal not only tells the car it can pass, but also ensures the driver has given thought to whether the maneuver is safe."
Is another turn stalk required for this feature? If not, what if I am actually turning or just changing lanes?
I believe you will use the existing turn signal stalk but after you have put the car in Autopilot mode that stalk will work differently.
Again, as has been stated many many times, Tesla "Autopilot" is NOT autonomous driving in all situations. It is intended for freeways and highways without cross traffic.
We are many years away from fully autonomous driving in all road situations in a Tesla or any other car sold to the public (Google is not selling cars now or for years to come, in my opinion).
Again, as has been stated many many times, Tesla "Autopilot" is NOT autonomous driving in all situations. It is intended for freeways and highways without cross traffic.
We are many years away from fully autonomous driving in all road situations in a Tesla or any other car sold to the public (Google is not selling cars now or for years to come, in my opinion).
My understanding / expectation is that this feature is only available with TACC engaged. In the same way the car "automatically" slows in response to cars detected in front, it will "automatically" switch lanes when it detects the driver using the turn signal.
Canuck
Well-Known Member
If by "turn" you mean something like making a right turn onto another street, then you should definitely not be using Autopilot or TACC.
chickensevil
Active Member
No it isn't just aimed at them. They could benefit, sure. But it is so much more than just those in a wheelchair. I'm sure in time they will make ones that fit their needs, but your initial target should be your largest audience which is... People who are not wheelchair bound.
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Self-Driving Volvo Tries To Run Some People Over - Jalopnik
Misleading click-bait title, but the article provides some food for thought. Aparently the driver thought the car had a pedestrian avoidance feature which turned out to be a $3K additional option that he didn't purchase.
Misleading click-bait title, but the article provides some food for thought. Aparently the driver thought the car had a pedestrian avoidance feature which turned out to be a $3K additional option that he didn't purchase.
Jaff
Active Member
Probably politically incorrect, but that vid is hilarious!!!
Glad to see autonomous vehicles are "just around the corner!"
Glad to see autonomous vehicles are "just around the corner!"
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