Tesla Motors Club
I am somewhat amused at how many people think total autonomy is right around the corner. Some even seem to feel cheated because their Tesla isn't totally autonomous already. The nerve of Tesla to actually expect them to hold the steering wheel while driving within a few feet of drivers of totally unknown skills, experience, and mental faculty!
I think total autonomy will be tremendous when virtually all vehicles are on line. Until then, I wonder. It's not always about staying between the lines and reading signs and lights. Here are just a couple simple examples of situations I have encountered on a number of occasions which I think could be troubling to a totally autonomous vehicle. I am sure you can think of more, and I would love to see your posts in that regard.
1. I find that often I am trying to enter a steady stream of slow moving traffic. The way I finally get in is by making eye contact with the next driver, and they wave or nod to me to let me know I can proceed without their conflicting with me. How will a totally autonomous car handle those situations?
2. I have also avoided accidents by observing another driver who is obviously distracted by cell phones, kids, applying makeup, etc. I suspect we have all seen these situations and steered clear when we realized they were not going to yield, or stop appropriately.
3. As simple a thing as auto park. My Model S is pretty smart. It looks for an open space, even in a crowded parking lot, that it can maneuver into, and then can handle the parking itself. I am even smarter. I can see someone getting into their car, and I know that space will open soon, so I can just sit and wait. I can even assume that the guy with one small bag will be leaving faster than will the lady with a cart full of groceries and two little children.
These are just a few situations that I wonder how the wizards will have autonomy handle. I am sure they will amaze me, but I do wonder how. Once all cars, or all cars in restricted area are autonomous, they can communicate with each other, making these situations non-issues, but until then, I think it will be quite interesting. Perhaps some of you more advanced tech thinkers can illuminate the process for us.
What situations do you see as problems, and how anxious will you be to get into a car without a steering wheel, on public roads shared by 16 year olds in Mustangs, and 85 year olds in Cadillacs,,,,and deer,,,,,and things which have fallen from truck beds,,,,,,and local flooding,,,,,and heaven forbid,,,,,,ME!
Drive Safe
I think total autonomy will be tremendous when virtually all vehicles are on line. Until then, I wonder. It's not always about staying between the lines and reading signs and lights. Here are just a couple simple examples of situations I have encountered on a number of occasions which I think could be troubling to a totally autonomous vehicle. I am sure you can think of more, and I would love to see your posts in that regard.
1. I find that often I am trying to enter a steady stream of slow moving traffic. The way I finally get in is by making eye contact with the next driver, and they wave or nod to me to let me know I can proceed without their conflicting with me. How will a totally autonomous car handle those situations?
2. I have also avoided accidents by observing another driver who is obviously distracted by cell phones, kids, applying makeup, etc. I suspect we have all seen these situations and steered clear when we realized they were not going to yield, or stop appropriately.
3. As simple a thing as auto park. My Model S is pretty smart. It looks for an open space, even in a crowded parking lot, that it can maneuver into, and then can handle the parking itself. I am even smarter. I can see someone getting into their car, and I know that space will open soon, so I can just sit and wait. I can even assume that the guy with one small bag will be leaving faster than will the lady with a cart full of groceries and two little children.
These are just a few situations that I wonder how the wizards will have autonomy handle. I am sure they will amaze me, but I do wonder how. Once all cars, or all cars in restricted area are autonomous, they can communicate with each other, making these situations non-issues, but until then, I think it will be quite interesting. Perhaps some of you more advanced tech thinkers can illuminate the process for us.
What situations do you see as problems, and how anxious will you be to get into a car without a steering wheel, on public roads shared by 16 year olds in Mustangs, and 85 year olds in Cadillacs,,,,and deer,,,,,and things which have fallen from truck beds,,,,,,and local flooding,,,,,and heaven forbid,,,,,,ME!
Drive Safe