Self driving cars?

GDB2222

Goudy said:

Yes, Tesla have had problems with their system, but it's not the same level as what most cars are fitted with.

Tesla's "Autopilot" is a level 2 "Hands Off" system.
That's not literally hands off, most systems tested require you to keep a hand on the steering wheel, but it's a level of control that takes over acceleration, braking and steering that the driver only has to monitor.

What we mainly have here is Level 1 , "Hands On".
A shared control system, like adaptive cruise, lane assist, emergency brake, lane keeping but the driver is requires to take over at times.

Level 3 is "eyes off"

Level 4 is "mind off"

Level 5 is "steering wheel optional"

The snag with level 2 is that it hands back control when things have already gone seriously wrong to a driver who is seriously out of practice.

Reddleman79

At level 5 I'd want it to run on rails.

Ectophile

Reddleman79 said:

At level 5 I'd want it to run on rails.

That's called the Docklands Light Railway.

prowla

My car can't read the speed limits reliably; there's one urban road I sometimes go along which it insists has an 80 mph limit.

silvercar

Recently changed to driving an electric car that has adaptive cruise control. It makes the driving experience far less tiring that before. It maintains a reasonable distance to the car in front, slows down when there are cars ahead and speeds back up when there is more room. It also features a loud warning sound when as a collision warning.

After a long journey I arrive less tired that previously.

Even without this, a newer car would have automatic lights and wipers and climate control. All add to easing the driving experience.

silvercar

Imagine a life without the car, what would you think twice before doing? Sure you can call an Uber or take the tube or train for planned journeys, but are there local journeys you do now that would not be worth the bother?

GDB2222

silvercar said:

Imagine a life without the car, what would you think twice before doing? Sure you can call an Uber or take the tube or train for planned journeys, but are there local journeys you do now that would not be worth the bother?

We’re a mile from the tube, and that’s a pleasant brisk walk. I would almost never take the car into town as it’s impossible to park. 

On the other hand we do drive to the local shopping centre, which isn’t a very pleasant walk, besides which we often bring back quite a bit of stuff. If we could not drive, we’d take the bus there and a cab back, I guess. 

I’m not sure that there are any journeys we would give up on, although I do agree with your point that the car sitting on the drive is a major convenience - An awful lot faster and more reliable than calling an Uber.

shinytop

Ectophile said:

Krakkkers said:

Unfortunately this technology is now on Motorcycles where you now have ABS, Traction control, Lean sensitive traction control, Anti wheelie control and adverse weather ECU mode to cut power.
The end result is you can buy a Bike that has 200 bhp and it won't let you use it.

That's to handle the middle-aged bikers, who used to ride when they were young, before buying a sensible car.  In middle age, they decide to buy a bike again, and get the biggest most powerful one they can afford.

A couple of days later, they are upside down in a ditch, because they have no experience of riding a powerful bike.

An old cliche that wasn't true 20 years ago when it was first quoted and still isn't.