Poll: Would you "drive" an automated car?

[tkioz]

So a bunch of us were watching Demolition Man last night and some how a debate started about the automated car, and I was in a minority of one that said that I would buy such a car in a heart beat, because I freaking hate driving, I can drive, but I just don't like it.

My friends all said they would never allow a car to drive itself while they were on-board, partly because of trust, partly because they preferred to be in control. I can understand the control, but my own confidence in my driving skill isn't exactly sky high even if I've never had an accident while driving (but 5 bloody accidents as a passenger going back to the first at 4 years old, where I saw a screw driver impale itself in my grandmothers scalp, thankfully she was alright because it was didn't enter he brain, but it left an impression).

Then there is the question of comfort, having a car that could drive itself lets me indulge in my laziness, in addition to never having to worry about how many drinks I've had (mmm I've had 3 beers in the last 4 hours, am I under the legal limit or not?), speed limits (after all a computer is better able to judge that then me), and weather conditions.

So my question to you good friends, would you prefer a car that drove itself or would you rather drive?

 

[enzilewulf]

No, I would just buy a bus pass. I don't want to have to refill the thing when its less expensive to take a bus or tram. Besides half the fun in driving is actually driving.

 

[PureChaos]

like you, i hate driving. been doing it 6 years and no accidents but i would get one

 

[tkioz]

No, I would just buy a bus pass. I don't want to have to refill the thing when its less expensive to take a bus or tram. Besides half the fun in driving is actually driving.

People on the Bus SMELL in addition the bus service here runs every hour, so there is a lot of waiting around, and you still have to walk to the stop to your destination, so it's not really a valid comparison, a valid comparison would be a cheaper limo service.

 

[mexicola]

Unless all other cars participating in the traffic were also automated and run by some flawless central system, no I don't think I'd want one. I prefer to put trust in my own driving skills.

 

[enzilewulf]

No, I would just buy a bus pass. I don't want to have to refill the thing when its less expensive to take a bus or tram. Besides half the fun in driving is actually driving.

People on the Bus SMELL in addition the bus service here runs every hour, so there is a lot of waiting around, and you still have to walk to the stop to your destination, so it's not really a valid comparison, a valid comparison would be a cheaper limo service.

Eh we have trams here. I just think driving is the funnest thing ever, so of coarse I would reject the Idea.

 

[Quaxar]

Oh... I thought this was about shift vs automatic.

Yeah, I think I'd buy an autonomous car provided its safety and reliability have been tested and approved, mainly because I could use the driving time for so much more productive stuff.
Of course something like the Audi from I Robot with the possibility to also drive yourself would be perfect.

 

[Berethond]

No. Never. Ever. Driving is the fun part about owning a car.

Also, how is it supposed to deal with weather conditions, malfunctions, and, most importantly, other vehicles?

 

[Hollock]

I would do it, I don't like driving too much.

 

[Virus0015]

Well providing you were in a position to take control of the car yourself when everything goes tits up I would be OK. Then again you would still have to be constantly alert, thus negating the point of having the system automated.

It is perfectly possible for modern airliners to conduct a flight from one airfield to the runway exit at another airfield(for the sake of argument lets presume traffic management can be fixed so that human intervention is not required to obtain clearances and follow them). Therefore why do we need 2 pilots, even a pilot at all? Modern auto land systems have quadruple redundant software, yet when used there is still a human carefully monitoring and poised to take control at any moment. Even when computers are perfect and can take appropriate action to every situation possible there will most certainly still be someone watching (woo for pilot job security!). This is as close a real life example as I can think of. Automation can make driving a car less stressful/tiring etc. But I wouldn't like to be totally out of the loop.

 

[CrashBang]

I love driving but if I could buy one which had the option of driving itself then totally, yeah. Sometimes I get excited about driving somewhere and other times I just see it as a chore so I'd love to have the option

 

[SimuLord]

"Take me to Heather's house, car."
"I can't let you do that, Dave."
"Why the fuck not?"
"Because you never clean my back seat and she makes a mess. Besides, I just don't like her."
"I'm the driver here!"
"No you're not, Dave. We're going to Burger King."

 

[Plurralbles]

i dont' trust people to not hit my computer driven car when they're too cocky and still drive themselves.

Oh... and Deer.

Fuck deer.

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

If such a thing ever existed I think I would probably buy one. Provided the price was reasonable of course. I trust technology for the most part, and it would be nice not to worry about paying attention on the road.

 

[Nimcha]

Not likely, I do enjoy driving.

But I'd like it to be able to parallel park for me, I could never get the hang of that >.<

 

[ishist]

"Take me to Heather's house, car."
"I can't let you do that, Dave."
"Why the fuck not?"
"Because you never clean my back seat and she makes a mess. Besides, I just don't like her."
"I'm the driver here!"
"No you're not, Dave. We're going to Burger King."

I almost want to quote that as my sig

 

[Jackpot524]

Well providing you were in a position to take control of the car yourself when everything goes tits up I would be OK. Then again you would still have to be constantly alert, thus negating the point of having the system automated.

It is perfectly possible for modern airliners to conduct a flight from one airfield to the runway exit at another airfield(for the sake of argument lets presume traffic management can be fixed so that human intervention is not required to obtain clearances and follow them). Therefore why do we need 2 pilots, even a pilot at all? Modern auto land systems have quadruple redundant software, yet when used there is still a human carefully monitoring and poised to take control at any moment. Even when computers are perfect and can take appropriate action to every situation possible there will most certainly still be someone watching (woo for pilot job security!). This is as close a real life example as I can think of. Automation can make driving a car less stressful/tiring etc. But I wouldn't like to be totally out of the loop.

Plus those airliners have to watch out for nuts like me that faff about in prop planes... If computers did all the work, I'd be turbine dust.

Yeah, I see your point though... If cars were automated you'd still need someone to moniter everthing and be ready for any sort of emergency, but if you don't drive that much since the car is automated... How prepared are you for such an emergency? (Ex. Blowout or an animal strike)

 

[Serenegoose]

It's entirely possible that given how many accidents flesh and blood drivers cause (a whole lot) that once a reliable automated driver becomes a viable program, it'll be mandatory on all but privately owned roads. It would probably take a lot of work to create due to all the variables, though. Many, many years I'd imagine, even if a working model came out tomorrow, just to get through all the safety testing and the like. People tend to be scared of machines for not being able to react on the fly - but consider this. A machine can't be surprised by anything - with sufficient programming it will always take the optimal reaction. Many, many accidents humans have are because we don't react well to stressful situations, hence the archetypal "There was a deer in the headlights so I swerved to smash into a tree." To say nothing of the accidents tired or drunk drivers cause. I'd enthusiastically embrace a proven safe automated driver.

 

[thepicle]

yes mainly because i have yet to acquire my driving license

also no more drunk driving