Our last class lecture touched briefly on the concept of automatic parking. An episode of Top Gear from a few seasons ago displayed how far autonomous driving had come by showing a BMW concept flying around a test track unaided by its human occupant. You can watch the video clip here.
While the test track scenario is useful for demonstrating the effectiveness and accuracy of GPS-based steering, I think the near future will see this technology used rather mundanely on our interstates, although autonomous city cars are already in development. I think it will start with interstates largely because of ease. On the highway, there are no stop lights to negotiate, or stop signs, or frequent 90 degree turns. On the highway, an autonomous navigation system could simply take over once you enter an on-ramp, using the on-board GPS as its brain to take you to whatever address you punch in. Negotiating interactions with other cars would be relatively simple with proximity sensors, particularly if every car was automatically travelling at the same rate of speed.
In fact, the technology would actually improve several limiting factors associated with human control, not least of which would be road rage. The less obvious factor that limits human control is accuracy. A computer controlled system would allow for "stacking" of autonomous cars. Meaning, they could run closer to each other front to back because the need for human reaction time (slow) would be replaced by a computer (fast). This could also mean that an overall higher rate of speed could be achieved on highways. In the absence of human error, it wouldn't surprise me to see autonomous cars safely travelling at speeds of 100 MPH or more on the highway.
Of course, for those of us who actually enjoy driving, even the thought of automatic transmissions leaves a bad taste in our mouths. But we'll just have to get our kicks around town and at the track. On the highway, we'll have to get used to enjoying a good book, taking a nap, or watching a movie. I don't think I'd mind that too much.
I really would like automatic driving to happen because I want to sleep when I am driving to work or school. Another great thing for automatic driving is I could eat and study without having to pay attention to the road.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember when Lexus designed a sedan that could park itself? It premiered on the Today Show a couple years ago. Automated driving would be incredible. Hollywood has already tapped into the concept with movies like IRobot and Minority Report. The "Auto-Pilot" mechanisms that would have to go into a car are well beyond my comprehension.
ReplyDeleteThat is nuts. I don't think I would trust my car enough to let it take over the driving. I watched the first video of the BMW and at first I was just looking for ways that showed it was fake. I didn't want to believe that a car can drive itself!
ReplyDeleteThe thought of autonomous cars is amazing, yet it seems to me that it would be a long time in the future before we get the technology implemented. Then again, airplanes fly themselves. A big jetliner can take off, fly, and land itself in a trip from New York, NY to San Diego, CA. The pilot just sits and observes. With this luxury of having computers do things for us comes relaxation. When people have cars driving for them, they become less aware of things happening around them. This is the only downfall I see to this new technology. The advantages, however, seem to outweigh the disadvantages. It is definitely safer, burns less gas, is more efficient, and the human is barely doing any work. I am anxious to see how it all works out.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really cool idea, but I feel like I would be scared to death of that thing malfunctioning and sending me off a cliff. Technology is really cool until it fails you. We all know how we feel when a computer crashes, just think about your car crashing with you in it
ReplyDeleteSleeping while driving sounds like a great idea, go Technology. I would also like a have a robot that can go to classes for me, and take notes, take exams, I think thats a great investment....
ReplyDeleteThat is quite different and would be a great thing to have and not have to worry about driving. We would be able to sleep and eat or read like you said, everything and that would be awesome, but how realistic is it? I mean, they're going to have to get every car on the same level and make them be able to communicate with eachother and sense where certain vehicles are and be able to watch out for deer or a child or anything that may be crossing the road or ice etc. I mean if we can get this, some day were going to be flying around in space cars like the jetsons.
ReplyDeleteIf they could automate driving it would make my life so much easier. I could easly get a nap in before work or even eat some food that isn't fast. I know that this is risky, but I mean driving is always gona have risk involved.
ReplyDeleteThat video was amazing! i knew we were getting close to that kind of technology but i didnt know we were there! I dont know if they had the car programmed to speed like that, if they didnt there may be a few kinks to work out still. But wow! that is sooo cool! That could be ouranswer to safer driving in the next 15-20 years.
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