General Discussion

Algernon Moncrieff

(5,961 posts)

56. The driverless car technology has been in the works for years

Mon Sep 8, 2014, 10:26 PM

Sep 2014

The infrastructure in terms of roads isn't there yet to support it. It will come. Driverless Caddies will be a novelty, but driverless over-the-road trucks will be a huge issue at some point in the 2020s. Imagine a truck cab with a small set of redunfant computers, extensive sensors, and room dor diesel fuel or CNG where the driver currently sits or sleeps. They'll be able to run coast-to-coast at speeds approaching 100 on the plains, and will not need to refuel or make rest stops. Now add this to the drone technology being advanced by Google & Amazon. Bad news if you are a driver -- for an OTR hauler or for FedEx/UPS/USPS.

Pilotless aircraft carrying freight will also be coming soon. At first, probably for trans Arctic/Pacific/Atlantic/Indian ocean flights. Once that works safely foe several years, overland flights will be soon behind.

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Can anyone tell me why "driverless cars" will not be the most important issue in 2016 election [View all] CK_John Sep 2014 OP

Who can afford a freaking Cadillac? Skidmore Sep 2014 #1

Cadillac is not the issue, its auto technology. CK_John Sep 2014 #18

Why would automotive technology ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #41

Erm, because not being able to afford fancy cars ... or food, medicine, shelter is more important? REP Sep 2014 #2

Agree wholeheartedly. Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #3

Is that anything like tooeyeten Sep 2014 #4

Everyone knows that "you kids get off my lawn" will be the main issue. FSogol Sep 2014 #5

People are more worried about gainful employment than Cadillacs Mercy_Queen Sep 2014 #6

Because none of the major stakeholdrs would use that election as a venue. Exultant Democracy Sep 2014 #7

The robots will slowly take over and you won't hardly notice. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #8

Ask a receptionist if robots can take over a job AngryAmish Sep 2014 #109

Because it's two years away and driverless cars aren't going to be popular. arcane1 Sep 2014 #9

Google has over 800,000 miles without any problems in live testing. CK_John Sep 2014 #21

The GM model with the ignition switch problem has tens of millions of miles jberryhill Sep 2014 #77

and people still cause many many times more accidents than all recalls combined. whatthehey Sep 2014 #104

Actually, they had one wreck where the car went the wrong way on a one way street, IIRC. FSogol Sep 2014 #119

Ending the commute won't be popular? DireStrike Sep 2014 #34

That's called "bus" and "train." And the commute is still there. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #88

only for a tiny fraction of the nation whatthehey Sep 2014 #103

Once I moved out of New York I saw how completely inadequate other transit systems are. DireStrike Sep 2014 #106

I don't want a driverless car. It would only become an issue if they try to take the ones I have. Throd Sep 2014 #10

Well, Im a drunk. AngryAmish Sep 2014 #20

ahahahahha..I think that's the first time I've laughed in 3 days..thanks for that. Volaris Sep 2014 #50

well, are you predicting they will be? CreekDog Sep 2014 #11

Well GM will need a legal process from every state to put those autos on the roads and CK_John Sep 2014 #16

so you're predicting it won't be the biggest issue of 2016 CreekDog Sep 2014 #22

IMO, it will be the biggest issue of 2016. CK_John Sep 2014 #38

Bigger than ... say ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #43

Those issues are for DU type junkies, get between a voter and their car lookout. CK_John Sep 2014 #47

Oh you must be pulling our legs yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #62

That's a rather creative prophecy, but not really anything more than that... LanternWaste Sep 2014 #83

What is the "issue"? jberryhill Sep 2014 #12

Driverless cars. CK_John Sep 2014 #17

ah, yes, who can forget the 1952 pop tart debate! jberryhill Sep 2014 #65

Because car-less drivers and jobless workers are more important issues IDemo Sep 2014 #13

Definitely. LuvNewcastle Sep 2014 #15

How many jobless workers do you think there will be with driverless cars? former9thward Sep 2014 #113

Delivery drivers? GummyBearz Sep 2014 #116

It will be worked out. former9thward Sep 2014 #122

I can see it now GP6971 Sep 2014 #14

So far driverless cars have a perfect record. DireStrike Sep 2014 #35

If there isn't a partisan disagreement, why would it be an important election issue? tritsofme Sep 2014 #19

State revenue and the billions floating around for influence peddling. CK_John Sep 2014 #24

Nah. Hopefully the lobbyists make it a non-issue pretty quickly. conservaphobe Sep 2014 #23

Not enough voters can afford one fadedrose Sep 2014 #25

Its not just GM, all auto models are being readied for market. CK_John Sep 2014 #26

Am 76 - Driving is harder, too many cars, etc... fadedrose Sep 2014 #29

I'm only 2yrs behind you and hope I'll be here for 2016 elections. CK_John Sep 2014 #40

This won't be even a tiny issue in the 2016 election cycle. SheilaT Sep 2014 #27

No infrastructure is needed and Google is testing in CA and Nev. Link with CK_John Sep 2014 #32

Is there something about driverless cars that Republicans and Democrats disagree on? Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #28

Interesting legal questions arise. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Sep 2014 #30

There is no reason that can't happen. DireStrike Sep 2014 #37

The brain is not a "machine." That's trans-humanist propaganda. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #89

Ok. I guess you prefer religious propaganda? DireStrike Sep 2014 #107

To your last point... jberryhill Sep 2014 #82

Because people don't care... brooklynite Sep 2014 #31

I don't see this kind of automation being a thing BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #33

5 states and DC have already passes laws allowing driverless cars, the auto lobby CK_John Sep 2014 #36

If it becomes widespread BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #39

Millions of jobs of taxi, freight, and delivery will be effected. IMO, the GOP will benefit the most CK_John Sep 2014 #42

Freightliner is already working on semi-automated heavy trucks. Xithras Sep 2014 #95

All good points! kentauros Sep 2014 #114

Good, they should be devoting more attention to public transportation anyway. arcane1 Sep 2014 #44

I remember when customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #45

It will happen, no doubt about it. nt Logical Sep 2014 #46

Eventually, yes customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #49

Google has put millions of miles on theirs, no accidents yet. nt Logical Sep 2014 #54

Is Google telling us it plans customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #55

Yep, Google says its goal is to get the technology to the public by 2017, Logical Sep 2014 #59

So, then customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #68

"...only if intricate preparations have been made beforehand, with the car’s exact route, including Chathamization Sep 2014 #58

Which they also have a plan for! nt Logical Sep 2014 #60

Google and other tech companies have lots of "plans". Let's see them implement them before jumping Chathamization Sep 2014 #63

The data base will have to be updated continually. rickford66 Sep 2014 #101

The human body will simply explode at too high a velocity (nt) Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #48

Leaving nothing left on planet Earth but endlessly driving, automated cars. randome Sep 2014 #72

Because "flying cars" have been in line since BEFORE the JETSONS!!!! nt MADem Sep 2014 #51

I don't understand why you think it's an issue at all. Codeine Sep 2014 #52

Because we already have them. They're called "Camry owners" flvegan Sep 2014 #53

Really? Egnever Sep 2014 #64

Nope. I like driving. REP Sep 2014 #96

Oh my goodness, yes I can. flvegan Sep 2014 #112

The driverless car technology has been in the works for years Algernon Moncrieff Sep 2014 #56

Rubber on concrete is a foolish way to move freight long distances jberryhill Sep 2014 #76

Clowns, mostly. 2016 will be the year of clowns. Zombie clowns. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #57

I love the idea of a driverless car yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #61

Why is everyone so excited about this? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #66

They're excited for the benefits of lives saved kcr Sep 2014 #71

The jobs are lost for good BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #86

If job loss were never acceptable we'd be stuck in the dark ages kcr Sep 2014 #90

I want to clarify that I'm not saying, "Job loss no biggy" kcr Sep 2014 #93

There is no benefit BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #110

That's what I meant by more so now than in the past kcr Sep 2014 #115

Google and Uber will.merge to form Goober jberryhill Sep 2014 #67

You neglect to mention the Flying Car Question!! hatrack Sep 2014 #69

Exactly Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #70

Have you seen the leaked PR images from the Romney 2016 campaign team? hatrack Sep 2014 #73

Mitts' father was chairman of American Motors in the 60's and Mitt will try to ride this issue CK_John Sep 2014 #81

We're all supposed to be driving them by October of next year. Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2014 #99

Fukin' A! Glassunion Sep 2014 #105

But if each state receives beer and travel money, it might work out OK! hatrack Sep 2014 #74

Because it is not an important issue. MineralMan Sep 2014 #75

Will the driverless cars float? tularetom Sep 2014 #78

They will swim, fly, drive and land you on the fucking Moon! In Version 2. randome Sep 2014 #79

What would you do if you saw a driverless car with an ISIS logo and t-rex arms in a K-Mart? hatrack Sep 2014 #80

Car Wars. randome Sep 2014 #84

Give it a rest. CK_John Sep 2014 #85

I don't get it. I like to drive. Many people do. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #87

LOL. La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2014 #91

Most public buses are driverless Koch Ebola Sep 2014 #92

Where are public buses without drivers? Welcome to DU uppityperson Sep 2014 #102

Most? I did hear of a national park out west somewhere that has a driverless* bus system FSogol Sep 2014 #120

When I'm stuck in traffic on I-95, I wish all cars were automated. alarimer Sep 2014 #94

Jobs. Wars. Air. Water. Money in Politics. demwing Sep 2014 #97

Clearly the biggest issue will be breastfeeding pitbulls at Olive Garden. nt Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2014 #98

This is going to be "The Issue" in your mind? Savannahmann Sep 2014 #100

And yet the subways and trains keep going with relatively few problems. randome Sep 2014 #121

Translation: Technology scares me. FSogol Sep 2014 #108

Well, to be honest BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #111

Ayup. Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #117

Because our political process lags well behind social as well as technological change. Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #118