Cars that drive themselves coming, enjoy our BMWs while we still can?...thoughts

[the1andonly]

I just saw this story on CNN...sure its a ways off but I'm still "young" and want to enjoy driving my OWN cars for many years to come. Take a look at the article, what do you guys think about this in terms of those of us that enjoy buying performance cars? Imagine that intoxicating power and feel, the tight steering, the roar of the engine that we all love....all......gone


http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2012/...ere/?hpt=hp_c2

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

I just saw this story on CNN...sure its a ways off but I'm still "young" and want to enjoy driving my OWN cars for many years to come. Take a look at the article, what do you guys think about this in terms of those of us that enjoy buying performance cars? Imagine that intoxicating power and feel, the tight steering, the roar of the engine that we all love....all......gone


http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2012/...ere/?hpt=hp_c2

Thats kind of old news. BMW has had this for a long time now. Clarkson tested a e90 330i a while back... (sorry about the poor video quality - but this was the only video I found of this show/clip).

[TMR013]

We'll be driving our own cars for years to come. I wouldn't worry.

All these great technology demonstrators they come out with have one problem. Working in the real world where their programmers can write code for every possible combination of events that could happen. Even if you could do that, you still have to get people to trust it.

Want proof? How many times has a great concept for the elusive flying car been talked about? How many do we have now?

[Sylon]

Just because automakers are working on cars that drive themselves doesn't mean you can't drive your car at your choosing. My drive home to see my parents is a boring, straight, 200 mile trip. I would love to just press a button and take a nap while the car drives itself. Kinda like in the movie "I, Robot".

[gnpower]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Thats kind of old news. BMW has had this for a long time now. Clarkson tested a e90 330i a while back... (sorry about the poor video quality - but this was the only video I found of this show/clip).

I did see this episode and although the car did drive itself, it was only following a recording of a previous run. Not exactly ready for a traffic filled road just quite yet. I wouldn't worry about cars taking over anytime soon. I' don't even think it will even happen during our lifetime.

[ken1137]

+1 for iRobot driven cars. However, if it is Microsoft coding then it would be possible for a hacker to re-code your destination on the fly

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by ken1137

+1 for iRobot driven cars. However, if it is Microsoft coding then it would be possible for a hacker to re-code your destination on the fly

That would actually be something these automakers will have to be concerned about. Hackers have already proven they can gain access to a locked vehicle and start it up with just a cell phone. Cars of the future will require some sort of firewall to prevent hackers from gaining access to them. Especially autonomous vehicles.

[Maccam26]

Originally Posted by TMR013

Want proof? How many times has a great concept for the elusive flying car been talked about? How many do we have now?

Well, there is one:

http://www.terrafugia.com/

[fullboost]

Look at it this way. Old car guys today generally hate new stuff just like you will when you're an old guy and cars drive themselves. My dad thinks GM hasn't built a great car since 1957 (probably a bad example, lol). When I'm old I imagine saying something to the effect of:

In crotchety old man voice "I remember the days when you really had to drive a car. Not like the crap they turn out today. The E30 M3, that's a real man's car."

[tommolog]

New slogan: "The ultimate self driving machine" quick, trademark it!

[ptack]

It may become an option 20 years from now - don't underestimate the complexity and cost - but people will insist on having a choice.
The real possibilities will be in the commercial area. Imagine having trucks moving between shipping centers 24/7 without worring about driver fatiigue or errors.

[axoid]

Considering that the Air Force is returning to the old U2 and ditching the "self-flying" spy UAV. I wouldn't expect that "self-driving" cars are in our immediate future.

Plus there is the issue of liability to work out. Is the human owner liable if an autonomous car crashes and kills someone? Is he the "driver"? If not, who is liable? The car company? I bet that will go over will with the lawyers, accountants and stock holders.