Self-Drive Cars Next Year?

[jno]

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/18/self-driving-cars-allowed-motorways-industry-risk

I'm in favour of the idea, given that cars are less likely to be drunk and aggressive, but I wonder if the technology will really be there by 2021?

[bhg481]

You are overlooking the fact that had the car doing its best to hit you had had autonomous braking the situation wouldn't have arisen. Most rear-end shunts are caused by drivers not concentrating.

[ToraToraTora]

yes BHG, I'm just illustrating that there are no black and white choices when it comes to accident prevention or minimisation.

[Ken4155]

Obviously your quick thinking saved the day - or at least the car you sold - TTT. But, and there's always a but, your quick thinking could have backfired on you. What if the driver of the car with the screeching tyres had realised he/she was going too fast, seen the empty lane next to yours and headed for that. CRASH! And TTT with empty pockets :-(
I agree with all you've said regards driverless motors. Not sure i'd want to travel in one anytime soon.

[ToraToraTora]

that was possible of course but with the tyres screeching I figured that he was using all his brain power on breaking. Even if he did change lanes that lane was empty and I was moving up out of the way so he'd have had room to stop.

[ToraToraTora]

jno just noticed BA, very generous of you.

[pixie374]

Even if the technology is there, drivers won't be. You can't expect a driver to be fully aware and ready at all times, while giving her/him nothing to do. By the time the machine has failed, the reaction will be much slower.
We don't need 100% tech, until humans are able to work with it effectively.

[ToraToraTora]

pixie; "even if the technology is there, drivers won't be. You can't expect a driver to be fully aware and ready at all times, while giving her/him nothing to do. By the time the machine has failed, the reaction will be much slower. " - the whole point is to remove humans from the equation, if they still have to be there just in case then the whole exercise is pointless.

[dannyk13]

What happens regarding overtaking? Does the driver have to take control of the vehicle?

[MWG14]

Not for me.

[archibaldy]

TTT:
// err no, as now, manufacturers are not generally liable for defects that occur during the life of the vehicle. If my brakes fail and cause an accident the maker of the car is not blamed it's down to the driver to make sure the vehicle is safe and roadworthy. //

If the brakes fail, if it is due to a systemic defect, then the manufacturer is liable. If they fail because of poor maintenance then the user is liable. Or it may be a mixture of both, as in the previous BP Deepwater Horizon example.

Software does not degrade over time so any issue with the software is a systemic defect so easy to hold the manufacturer liable if it's a pure software fault. If it is down to the user not maintaining the self-drive system (new sensors for instance) then I'd say in this case as the car has to make so many decisions about whether to start moving or not then it will be easier to hold the manufacturer liable as so many things (e.g. brake performance as it degrades over time) can be measured and reported upon.

If the user subverts systems or does not maintain parts that the self-drive system has no feasible way of detecting - I'll say tyre tread but this is also easy to measure nowadays then it's the users fault.

[jno]

TTT, I like the idea of robohusbands. When not directing traffic they can go around putting toilet seats down, mending fuses and remembering anniversaries.

[Zacs-Master]

Mrs Z has an electric car on order too, Tilly (Mini).