Self Driving Cars Now Possible

I thought this article was interesting.

Self-driving cars get closer every day, but won't hit you

I was thinking about all the accidents that happen because people fall asleep at the wheel. If you had a system that could wake you up because it detected you weren't driving correctly that could save a lot of lives. I've also seen commercials for cars that have systems that alert you if your eyes close for too long.

I talked once to a truck driver that fell asleep at the wheel and said that he woke up with the clutch pedal stuck in his face. There were a bunch of accidents near where I live caused by people falling asleep at the wheel. Cal Trans redid the shoulders of the highway not too long ago and put bumps in the shoulder so that when you start to drive on the shoulder there is the bumping sensation that will hopefully wake up drivers falling asleep.

Most vehicle accidents are due to operator error. A safe, self-driving car would take a HUGE bite out of accidents.

They stole my ideas :p :p

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

Most vehicle accidents are due to operator error. A safe, self-driving car would take a HUGE bite out of accidents.

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Possibly. I wouldn't bet my life on it, though. I would want at least one driver to accompany me so they can take the wheel while I sleep.

I think a better idea would be to make it so that I can easily pass control of the vehicle to the guy/girl sitting next to me without having to pull over and switch seats with him/her.

sounds like a train to me

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Originally Posted by moonman239

Possibly. I wouldn't bet my life on it, though. I would want at least one driver to accompany me so they can take the wheel while I sleep.

I think a better idea would be to make it so that I can easily pass control of the vehicle to the guy/girl sitting next to me without having to pull over and switch seats with him/her.

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Getting tired is not something that usually happens in a second that you would need such a quick switch. Is pulling over for a minute to switch really that big of a problem?

I believe Audi are designing one with a special tail gating option.

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I believe Audi are designing one with a special tail gating option.

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What so it locks on to the Car in front moves to within a couple of meters and essentially copies whatever moves it does, or is that the Stalking option?

oops double post !!!

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

Getting tired is not something that usually happens in a second that you would need such a quick switch. Is pulling over for a minute to switch really that big of a problem?

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Are you kidding? We have powered corkscrews! There is no task so trivial that we feel it is worth doing if there is any way to make it easier.

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Originally Posted by FunkyDexter

I believe Audi are designing one with a special tail gating option.

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That's the one that deploys a grill, brauts, and a keg at the press of a button, right?

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Originally Posted by moti barski

sounds like a train to me

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Dang it, I never expected you to hit the nail on the head!

If all you want to do is doze off, why not take the train instead? Or bus?

It's just another ploy to make the cars pricier!

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There have been cars that drive them selves for ages. They're called Taxis.

I'd take the train if I could, but in the US, there are very few of them.

I'm Steering Lucky

Actually driverless mining trucks have been deployed for a while now at certain mines. Rio Tinto are moving on driverless trains in Western Australia. :)

Oh and vw have a car that will reverse park itself, an instant requirement for the ladies imho.