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MineralMan

(146,306 posts)
14. When do you think all those autonomous vehicles are
Sat Oct 26, 2019, 01:53 PM
Oct 2019

going to hit the road, then?

I think we're a long way from that, still. Now that most new cars have emergency braking to prevent collisions, we're hearing the stories of them kicking in when there's no reason, thus causing accidents, themselves.

I just bought a 2020 KIA Soul. I was considering the second trim level up from the base trim, until I saw that the primary difference between the two was a set of "safety features" that included lane keeping assist, front end collision auto braking, "smart" cruise control, and a couple of others. The difference in price was only $1000, and the upgrade would also have gotten me some nice alloy wheels.

I bought the cheaper trim, specifically to not have those automated safety features, or "nannies" as many call them. I read user reports of the lane keeping assist trying to steer the car on rainy days, or when lane markers were otherwise obscured. The "smart cruise control," too, was reacting to slower vehicles in other lanes sometimes, and slowing the car down with no reason. The front end collision avoidance automation was reported to have stopped cars at an overpass on the freeway on a downgrade, apparently thinking the overpass was a stalled vehicle.

This is stuff being actively put into cars. It probably works most of the time, as designed, but not always. In fact, it can cause dangerous problems. We truly are not ready for autonomous vehicles at this time. The technology is not up to the job, really, It may never be. Sorry.

So, I"m glad I bought the cheaper trim level. Even it, though, has automatic stop and go that shuts the engine off at traffic lights and stop signs, restarting it when you take your foot off the brake. Fortunately, it has a button on the dash that lets you disable that feature. I press that button immediately after starting the car. Every time. I do not want the 2 second delay it causes when a light changes, nor the extra wear on the starter and battery. Nope. Not to save a tiny amount of gas. Not happening.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
Didn't see this in here before, thanks for posting it! redqueen Oct 2019 #1
It took me a long time to come around to this crazytown Oct 2019 #2
$1,000 a month for all Americans is $327 billion a month Polybius Oct 2019 #3
He means forever, as in forever. redqueen Oct 2019 #4
HUMAN-CENTERED CAPITALISM Sherman A1 Oct 2019 #5
THE FREEDOM DIVIDEND Sherman A1 Oct 2019 #6
It's actually a bit less than that because it only starts after the 18th... SKKY Oct 2019 #8
It is as you say "A big chunk of change" Sherman A1 Oct 2019 #9
For sure, and let me clarify, I'm a big proponent of a UBI... SKKY Oct 2019 #10
When do you think all those autonomous vehicles are MineralMan Oct 2019 #14
15 years, tops. SKKY Oct 2019 #15
We'll see. Or you will. MineralMan Oct 2019 #17
It may very well be coming sooner than you think redqueen Oct 2019 #16
We'll see. We won't know about how they do in mixed traffic until MineralMan Oct 2019 #19
Yes, there will be accidents. redqueen Oct 2019 #21
I neglected to mention, the 15 years is a conservative estimate... SKKY Oct 2019 #24
Just thought I'd cross post this redqueen Oct 2019 #31
That's a good plan. Joe941 Oct 2019 #7
The current US population over the age of 18 is 209,128,094. MineralMan Oct 2019 #11
The availability of funds Turin_C3PO Oct 2019 #12
That's always the problem. And it's a real problem. MineralMan Oct 2019 #13
We can't do everything. redqueen Oct 2019 #23
It might be wise to consider what we will do as automation changes our ... spin Oct 2019 #26
See post 4. nt redqueen Oct 2019 #18
Yup. Forever. MineralMan Oct 2019 #20
It's going to have to. redqueen Oct 2019 #22
Yang wants to eliminate the welfare system and food stamps and Veteran benefits RudyColludie Oct 2019 #25
Except none of that is true. redqueen Oct 2019 #28
No one is going to turn down $1000 per month to have food stamps instead MichMan Oct 2019 #29
I wouldn't think so either. Not with the hoops they make you jump through redqueen Oct 2019 #30
K&R Kurt V. Oct 2019 #27
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»'A Game Changer': Andrew ...»Reply #14