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Don't forget the Google self-driving car that saved a sandbag's life by swerving into the side of a 60 foot long bus, to avoid running over the poor little sandbag. But they are still better than human drivers. Because human drivers choose everyday to crash into a bus rather than run over a sandbag... Oh wait, there is no evidence that a human driver has ever done that.
So the topic of harsh winters has been briefly discussed. Now how about summer season, where the city does a lot of repair work on roads? Will driverless cars be able to merge correctly when there's a long line up as two lanes become one? Or will the driver have to take over?
How about when cars are on the freeway? And they are driving at great speeds but have to merge? Again does the driver take over?
Probably for now, but it's not much more programming involved to have the car notice construction barriers and slow down and merge. To merge it simply needs the rear blind side sensors that cars already have and a blinker. Eventully as all cars get automated, merging will be much easier since there won't be the one guy with a chip on his shoulder not letting people merge in front of him.
Of course the driverless car proponents argue that their driverless car will just drop them off at the store and then drive around for as long as it takes to find a parking space. Of course all of these extra trips by unoccupied cars driving around looking for parking will have absolutely no effect on the road infrastructure. Cities that are already totally gridlocked, will have no problems accommodating all these extra trips by unoccupied cars driving around in circles.
These cars will improve this dramatically.....
If the vehicle is purely autonomous it's no different than a human driving around looking for a spot, if anything they will be able to better see open spots you my not be able to easily see. Furthermore they could know where every parking garage is across the entire nation...
When these cars can communicate with each other or a central control sytem they will know where every open parking spot is in the entire country.
Once manual drivers are out of the equation they could literally park anywhere such as street that may not be needed if there is a low traffic volume. Worse case with high volume they will be able to park bumper to bumper and inches away from each on the sides. If a car needs to get out the rest of them cam move.
Don't forget the Google self-driving car that saved a sandbag's life by swerving into the side of a 60 foot long bus, to avoid running over the poor little sandbag. But they are still better than human drivers. Because human drivers choose everyday to crash into a bus rather than run over a sandbag... Oh wait, there is no evidence that a human driver has ever done that.
As with any tech there will be issues, it will only improve.
It would a sight to see hundreds maybe even thousands of driverless cars find parking spots at malls on Black Friday or during Christmas holidays. Or even sporting events, concerts, or even Costco on weekends. That would be a sight to see.
Actually, that is an EXISTING problem that driverless cars will SOLVE. Parking is such a cluster, literally, because the spaces have to be within a reasonable walking distance of the venue. Driverless cars will let you off near the door then go offsite some distance away to park and wait. Think of it as valet parking for everyone.
As an added bonus, high value real estate near such venues can be put to better uses like restaurants and bars while the parking takes place on remote low value real estate.
Of course the driverless car proponents argue that their driverless car will just drop them off at the store and then drive around for as long as it takes to find a parking space. Of course all of these extra trips by unoccupied cars driving around looking for parking will have absolutely no effect on the road infrastructure. Cities that are already totally gridlocked, will have no problems accommodating all these extra trips by unoccupied cars driving around in circles.
Why would they drive around in circles? Just park remotely where space is ample and land cheap. And because the doors won't need to be opened, just think how much closer they can be parked next to each other. You could probably fit 1000 cars into a lot that currently has 700 spaces.
I honestly can't see myself ever getting a driverless car. I love technology, but as much as I don't trust humans for lightning quick adjustments (including myself) in a given situation, I trust less a computer to analyze a situation that could crop up in a flash. I've been in a few, and in all honesty my worst "almost" I believe would have not been an almost if I was sitting back and letting the car do the thinking. Plus, as frustrating as it can be, I enjoy actually driving. We continue to dumb down humans abilities by letting technology do things for us instead of just being a tool to help us.
If the vehicle is purely autonomous it's no different than a human driving around looking for a spot, if anything they will be able to better see open spots you my not be able to easily see. Furthermore they could know where every parking garage is across the entire nation...
When these cars can communicate with each other or a central control sytem they will know where every open parking spot is in the entire country.
Once manual drivers are out of the equation they could literally park anywhere such as street that may not be needed if there is a low traffic volume. Worse case with high volume they will be able to park bumper to bumper and inches away from each on the sides. If a car needs to get out the rest of them cam move.
1. OK, point taken. We have now established that they suck, but they could improve.
2. Who is going to pay for and operate this central control system?
3. Manual drivers will never be out of the equation. How many times do many of us have to reiterate that we will never stop driving? We have no interest in buying your stupid ridiculously expensive self-driving cars.
Why would they drive around in circles? Just park remotely where space is ample and land cheap. And because the doors won't need to be opened, just think how much closer they can be parked next to each other. You could probably fit 1000 cars into a lot that currently has 700 spaces.
What happens when all of the 1000 parking spaces are filled up? Where would the other driverless cars go to? They would drive around in circles until they run out of gas, and then there would be gridlock.
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Because human drivers choose everyday to crash into a bus rather than run over a sandbag... Oh wait, there is no evidence that a human driver has ever done that. 
