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Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Is This The Ultimate Driving Machine

http://www.wired.com/2015/04/delphi-autonomous-car-cross-country/

I for one would quite happily give up driving to a computer so that I could do something more useful during the journey. Just think the car would be redesigned so that we could sit around a table and interact with other passengers. I could even create are whilst being driven.

Do you think this will happen within the next 20 years? What other mundane activities should also be automated for us?

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John Turner

8 Years Ago

Computers and cars my be nice but to me this is still the ultimate driving experience(pictured below)

Art Prints

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Briefly a Bond car too, driving on 2 wheels :-)

 

Andy PYRAH

8 Years Ago

With all those radars and electrical gadgets I wonder what the long-term effects of the electro-magnetic radiations are on the driver and other road users.

Personally I tend to agree with John Turner.

 

Elizabeth Bathory

8 Years Ago

Im still waiting for the flying cars of the future that they showed in the 1950's..they are all hype im afraid and nothing more about such things..sad....

 

David King

8 Years Ago

For me the only thing modern cars have that I want is the electronic engine management, beyond that I prefer the old tech. In fact besides the lights, power windows and power door locks that my current daily driver has the only electronics it has is electronic engine management, I want nothing more, not even a stereo, (the factory AM/FM cassette is broken). An autonomous cross country drive would be torture for me, I'd be bored out of my mind. I can't read or watch a movie or anything like that in a moving vehicle, I'll get sick.

 

I LOVE driving, and wouldn't want to give that joy away, if I had any choice in the matter.

Why am I suddenly craving an episode of Top Gear? ;-)

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Well I am surprised. I used to be an avid driver but to be honest with all the aggressive, white-knuckled muppets driving on the roads theses days I simply cannot be bothered and I'd rather have us all driven around by computers that understand the basics of stopping distances and traffic sense. Just think how they could be redesigned too.

 

Mike Savad

8 Years Ago

i don't trust self driving cars. besides the hacking that can be done, where they can turn you into a toy. how it navigates, snow, pot holes, unexpected things. i just can't trust the machine. what if i want to stop for some other reason? will the car know to stop in the middle of no where because there is a cop directing traffic? i just won't trust them... also i think google makes these imagine driving by all the sponsors?

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Mike Savad

8 Years Ago

flying cars won't exist unless it's a commercial thing like a bus, or cops, etc. for people - i can see a hovering car, but not flying. cars falling out of the sky, and people can't really drive that well on the street. not to mention most streets aren't set up for anything to fly - trees, wires, etc all in the way.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Over 32,000 recorded road deaths in the US in 2013, roughly consistent for the last 5 years. I reckon a computer-controlled transport system could have a pretty good stab at reducing this in the not too distant future.

 

Roger Swezey

8 Years Ago

First of all, I believe that entire roadways could be made to become solar collectors, providing energy for our overall needs.

And powering a form of a electro-magnetic strip set in the roadway.

A car would simply drive on to that strip, and would be controlled and impelled by it

 

Chuck De La Rosa

8 Years Ago

It's not "Ultimate Driving Machine", because you are not driving it. You are simply a passenger.

In some situations I can see merit to this. But there are those of us who enjoy driving. Road trips are fun, and half the fun is traveling to the destination.

I am what you might call a "spirited driver". Why would I want to give that up?

 

Cynthia Decker

8 Years Ago

I love the Mach 1. Always have. If I could have any car, it might be a Boss 429 fastback. Or a '73 Ferrari Daytona. Or both. I actually have a big list.

Roger have you seen this? I pitched in a little, I think it's a fantastic concept. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-roadways


In the US at least, cars are seen as personal freedom for many. I can see automation working in the short term (20 years) for things like carpool lanes and largely highway travel, or as transportation for the physically limited or sight impaired. Me personally, I'd rather see research funding put toward more efficient battery development and a push behind cars that perform on the track and use less or no fossil fuel. I'd rather see efficiency before automation.

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

I prefer to drive myself. How many other devices will mankind invent just so that he doesn't have to do anything. I think there's already enough "control" by outside influences as it is.

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Point taken, Chuck. Driving can be fun and I too can be a "spirited driver" when the situation (rarely) allows, but to be honest I question the abilities of those drivers that insist on attaching their vehicles to my tow hitch at highway speeds, and I recognize that my reactions are slower than they used to be, plus my risk-taking approaches are modified from when I was a teenager who was pulled over by the police more often than I care to remember. As a Brit I do find hilarious the level of pseudo-aggressive driving exhibited in the US. I cannot think of the last time anyone overtook my vehicle on even an empty, straight, single-carriageway road in the US. In fact I cannot recall one time in 9 years. People would rather try to push me along, getting angrier and angrier because I am only driving slightly above the speed limit. This does not work :-)

I certainly think there's a place for the automatic driving technology on long-haul trips. Imagine being able to just put the car in a fully automated cruise while you truly enjoy the surrounding view on a cross-country journey, like they used to 100 years ago when we had those weird contraptions called trains :D

As for flying cars, Mike. It makes me shudder. I cannot begin to imagine the aerial carnage and destruction of allowing this, unless completely controlled by a traffic management system.

Hovercrafts, yes well we were promised this scenario by Arthur C Clarke back in the 60's but again, it assumes that most people have some sort of social awareness for property that I think we would find is disappointingly lacking.

JMHO

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Of course the rich have always had this technology. It was called a chauffeur and even predates the automobile.
I have never understood why those with money don't adopt this approach. Then they really could use the term "job creators" less bombastically ;-)

 

Roger Swezey

8 Years Ago

Greg,

How about a compromise?

Route 1, Route 66,301,remnants of the Lincoln Highway, Tamiami Trail, and roads like that, to be reserved for pure driving.

And the Interstate for those looking into the future

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Sounds like a great start, Roger. :D

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

Roger,

I'd like to one day take a drive on Rt. 66. :)


Richard,

As far as chauffeurs taking over the driving, I hate being a passenger in a vehicle (car, truck, etc). On large buses I do okay, but would still prefer to be the one driving if I had the option.

 

Patricia Strand

8 Years Ago

I'm not into car makes or models any more than I'm into shoes... not. It's all utilitarian for me. However, I adore driving, looking, watching and observing. I wouldn't want any automation to take this over for me. If that happens, I can envision a future where people lose their driving skills. It's the wave of the future, though. Gonna happen. Just like the average person can't really handle a horse any more, I suppose.

 

CHERYL EMERSON ADAMS

8 Years Ago

RE: Flying cars: I saw flying cars at the Air & Space Museum at Dulles. They're cars with wings that fold up so they can drive on normal sized roads. Too bad they're a thing of the past, you could fly into a general aviation airport & not have to find a taxi or pay for a rental car to leave the airport. Flying cars wouldn't be a problem as long as they followed the same air traffic control & pilot licensing rules as, for example, Cessnas. You need a certain amount of runway to take off, so you don't need to worry about people cheating & taking off from their suburban driveways. If they ever go into production... I'm getting a pilot's license, and I'm getting one...

RE: Autonomous vehicles: These would be great for people who can't get drivers' licenses because of a disability, such as impaired vision. Could provide some people with more autonomy... re: getting groceries & going to work, just doing the normal things that people with drivers' licenses take for granted in areas that don't have good public transportation.

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Not much of a skill to lose in my view, especially as almost all cars in the US are automatic transmission. It cracks me up how many of my friends cannot drive a real car and flounder when they are faced with a clutch pedal :D

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Of course one of the "unthinkable" things would be to actually design communities so that they don't rely on the car. Imagine sidewalks, bike lanes, zoning that allows for community shops to be included within residential areas. Whoa. That's real "outa the box" thinking. We used to call them towns and communities in the old days, but I doubt it'll ever catch on as it's too old fashioned ;-)

 

Gregory Scott

8 Years Ago

It's not so much the machine as the road. Even driving a pickup loaded with gear, and towing a camper, I love driving mountain roads with hairpin turns, and so on. US 191 (formerly US 666) in Arizona/Utah is one of my favorite roads. And of course, CA 1, particularly from Moro Bay to San Francisco. In the east, Tail of The Dragon, US 129 Here is a selfie I took at a location in Texas that displays my attitude about road trips:
Sell Art Online
(Hint: Read the sign.)

One thing I love about being out west is where you can be atop a mountain, and look down the road to the valley, and see the road going up the next mountain, many miles away. Yet because of curves and hills, the ride is never boring.

Photography Prints

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Gregory Scott

8 Years Ago

If youngsters are so into ecology and sustainability, why are parents so eager to buy kids a car when they graduate, or even when they turn 16?
Maybe if they walked and biked they would not get so fat so early in life. Also, get off my lawn!

}:-D

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

Are you thinking Hillary Clinton? This Politic, Presidential campaigning. It's be all controlled by Corporation. What difference does it make.

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

I'm sure [failed] Solyndra could use another $535mil, at taxpayers expense.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/specialreports/solyndra-scandal


or Tesla:

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/05/tesla_is_worse_than_solyndra_how_the_u_s_government_bungled_its_investment.html



"..what will happen with 2016, if republican takes over...I don't think they will invest more on solar energy.

Perhaps, they will stop the waste. ;)

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

Greg,

The company is back and more profitable than ever. It is now under a new company name.
It is the largest or one of the largest US PV manufactures.

addition they only tell you what they want to manipulate you with...

Dave

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

Last paragraph from the article:

"...Here’s hoping that proves true. In the meantime, the question of how to compensate taxpayers for Tesla-esque successes remains a distinct issue, one that the government would do well to pay more attention to the next time it plays venture capitalist. If the government had demanded an ownership stake in reasonable proportion to the amount of money it put at risk, Tesla would be just as successful as it is today. The only difference would be that the taxpayers who saved the company would share in that success."

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

Greg,

The last paragraph you quoted is very outdated, the Govt is making money off these ventures for a while now. see link

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/13/363572151/after-solyndra-loss-u-s-energy-loan-program-turning-a-profit

Actually currently the company that took over is losing money. Solarcity.

Some of the competitors are making money.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s=SCTY+Competitors

Dave

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

How much is Koch Brother's donation?
$889 million for 2016

 

David Bridburg

8 Years Ago

I am over and out, no more rule braking for me.

You are on your lonesome.

Dave

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

Taxpayers, Dave, what did the initial govenment-backed loan cost the taxpayers? Of course the companies are making money.

I'm outta here also.

Before I go, here's your answer, Hyoye:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/01/27/us/politics/kochs-plan-to-spend-900-million-on-2016-campaign.html


Abbie, my apologies in advance for getting off track to politics, but a discussion of electric cars/green energy touches close to it.

 

Sarah Kersey

8 Years Ago

A tip for those contemplating buying their teenager a car: Get a bright yellow van that has a manual transmission.
Why? Because the van can be spotted from the air by the police, and it's unlikely to be stolen because so few people can drive a stick!!
Caution: Do not drive a manual transmission car in San Francisco... your clutch leg will become spastic!!

I've driven all over this country many times over. I know every rest area on Interstate 10 from Jacksonville to Santa Monica (and I'm not even a truck driver). I've driven Brooklyn on a Friday night by myself in a convertible. My slogan was that if the drive was 500 miles or less, it was "Local"!! Roger, I've done Route 66, Highway 301, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the Florida 1, the Keys, I-5, I-95, I-75, I-45, and so on and so on. Now, however, I've lost interest in marathon drives; preferring rather to take the blue roads when time is not an issue.

I do love cars, but not the muscle cars. Prior to the 70's cars were so very distinctive in design! Now, well, they all look about the same and seem to be made of aluminum foil!!

 

J L Meadows

8 Years Ago

One of the reasons I love traveling by train is because you can sit back, watch the world go by, read a bit and maybe go to the dining car for a sandwich and a drink. And there's lots of room. I'd take a train over a cramped airplane any day, even if the plane DOES get you there faster.

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

Alright!
Thanks! Greg,
Sarah,
I like old cars, like MGB, Aston Martin, Bentley, etc.

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

JL Meadows,
You got me started, Train is the best,

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

You don't have to do anything just sit and enjoy the view. Only thing is you want to make sure your neighbors are friendly otherwise you will looking at miserable face for the whole time you traveling.

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

Wow. I go to sleep for a few hours and a lot happens here.
By a somewhat circuitous route, thank you Hyoye for getting us back on topic!

Cars that drives themselves - the ultimate driving machines, Yea or No?

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com

 

Sarah Kersey

8 Years Ago

Conceptually, it sounds like a good idea. But, in reality, it would be a disaster. Surface navigation via a driven vehicle is already a minefield with so many dangers lurking. Can you imagine the pre-programming that would be required for an automated vehicle!!???

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

If we can make electric car like Tesla Motor, The sky is unlimited.
Some of the young Engineering students I hung out with, It is mind blowing. The kind of things they know.
It is very possible. I like old stuff and old ways but I am always curious. very interesting. Flying car with all the buttons to operate w/o gear or anything at all.
and eliminates mass amounts of traffic. One thing is though instead of driving lesson, we need to know how to push buttons.
I think we are good at that. Push buttons! LOL

 

Jason Christopher

8 Years Ago

i love driving, just the music on and let go, i love speed and acceleration but am always immediately reactive to road conditions, speed limits and danger, my instructor said my driving was perfect, i did the advanced test immediately and passed easily, wish theyd increase the speed limit, motorways are by far the safest roads unlike smaller roads. Manual drive is instinctive to me, i dont even think about gears, i just shift em like automatic. its shear enjoyment full stop. Manual shifting beats auto for acceleration, and with these controlled cars, being a passenger isnt the same, it gets to be a drag, a car gives freedom. The green issue is valid, greener fuels like alcohol might address this one day, hybrids already do, i used public transport for commutes but for weekends and the big shop, its a car. i recycle 2/3 rds of my rubbish to try and be green and i only waste 1 % of my food. no joke. i cant believe people throw so much food away, all that could be made into biofuel. one day. so my response is Not for me but fine for you.

 

Richard Reeve

8 Years Ago

@Sarah: computer driven vehicle have already driven cross country and also regularly compete in an annual off road challenge. The route is not pre-programmed but has to be navigated from scratch without GPS. This WILL happen, just see the DARPA challenges over the last few years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Grand_Challenge

@Jason: I agree with a lot of what you're saying. manual (stick-shift) cars are much more reactive to the driver. It took me ages to get used to automatic boxes and their annoying habits of changing up and down when I don't want them too. I am glad you're a good driver but remember many people aren't aren't, so you have to consider them too! As for acceleration, a gearless electric vehicle will actually blow away any similar powered "traditional" car since there is no energy loss due to gear shifting.

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

Jason, Moonshine car I almost forgot,

 

Jason Christopher

8 Years Ago

Hyoye,

Indeed! we banned the gun and kept the alcohol, you in the States all banned the alcohol and kept the gun...

now here shes is - THE way to drive yor automobile! - liquer fueled! lol


moonshine car
http://blueridgeinstitute.org/moonshine/liquor_cars_and_liquor_haulers.html

but hey, its the pure green emision dreeeam.... less smog more er... hog? er..


Richard, intersting, i must read more, not that id ever be able to buy a new machine... levitation roads next im sure..

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

"...you in the States all banned the alcohol and kept the gun... "

Absolutely. We needed the guns to keep people from stealing our illegal alcohol. ;


"...Flying car with all the buttons to operate w/o gear or anything at all.
and eliminates mass amounts of traffic..."

I'm thinking that all of the "mass amounts" of traffic will be in the air, if it's no longer on the roadways. The congestion has just been relocated. ;)

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

Jason, Man! Look at that truck, Bootlegger's truck.
Who needs a liquor store? just follow Jason's truck. its like an ice cream car.
Don't like plastic bottles though.

Greg,
If we don't have Gun, no one will steal because there goes your fun of stealing.
No Guns pls.

Back to driverless automobile, I would be very boring if I don't drive unless I am in a Train. we have people to talk to enjoying the view, read.
I love the train system in Swiss. i enjoyed it very much.

 

Greg Jackson

8 Years Ago

"If we don't have Gun, no one will steal because there goes your fun of stealing.
No Guns pls. "


Maybe we should release all those people that are in jail/prison that didn't use a gun in the process of their crimes. They were having fun stealing? This is getting off-topic again. See ya.


 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

Greg,
This is not really a getting off from the topic. We are talking about ultimate driving machine doesn't require Gasoline.
Gasoline is energy source, for that reason we are talking about alcohol, etc.



 

David King

8 Years Ago

Unfortunately all energy sources are dirty in some way, and many are not nearly as efficient as you might think, they've just been given the support of the government and a good PR campaign to make you think they are. The most promising replacement for gasoline I saw was a system that used a solar set up to charge tanks with hydrides with turned to hydrogen gas once warmed up. Unfortunately there were too many regulatory obstacles for the company to overcome since like any energy source it wasn't totally clean, I guess some nasty chemicals were involved that the government didn't want Joe average citizen to be handling, or if you believe in conspiracy theories then the oil companies had something to do with quashing it, (I wouldn't be surprised if there was some lobbying going on behind closed doors.). The big advantage to that system is it could be retrofitted to any current gasoline powered car.

As for the manual vs stick debate, well I loved driving my '64 El Camino with a four-speed, until it came time to replace the clutch, which was annually, (I got to where I could do it in four hours or less). And then my left knee started protesting having to hold in that heavy clutch, (it was a hot rod) in rush hour traffic, so when I rebuilt the whole car I swapped in an automatic. The cars I like to buy now don't even offer manual as an option, and since my knees are even older now I'm sure they appreciate the automatic even more.

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

My husband drives this old Saturn his father bought it for him when he was in college. That was a long time ago, It only has 80K miles on it.
Still drives like a dream. Unless Solar powered electric car, I am afraid he won't give up on it.

 

Fine art Gallery

8 Years Ago

Speaking of driverless car( ultimate driving machine)
If I have one I would be so lazy, car will be totally trashed in very short time.
I am so bad at taking care of car. I totally trashed Saab Convertible We used to owned.
My husband still tells me how bad I am with the car



 

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