Slashdot Mirror
High-tech Cars Replacing Driver Skill?
Nick writes "What happens when you take a bunch of average drivers, put them in a car with no high-tech systems like anti-lock brakes and traction control, and ask them to drive on a safety test track? 360-degree spins, of course. And not only do today's drivers need ABS and traction control to keep their cars under control, it also turns out most drivers can't even name the high tech safety systems that are continually saving their butts. And to make matters worse, carmakers plan to install automatic radar-based blind-spot checkers so motorists can avoid looking over their shoulders while changing lanes. Even geeks find some of these technologies scary, including Wired's Bruce Gain, who drove Mercedes' S-Class with automatic braking."
High-tech planes replacing pilot skills
High-tech seat belts replacing stuntman skills
High-tech calculators replacing math skills
High-tech screwdrivers replacing screwing your freaking wrist to death skills
High-tech phones replacing screaming really loud skills
High-tech shovels replace digging dirt with your fingers skills
High-tech whining replaces err.... wait... no people are as good at that as ever
I need a "get the &#^$ out of my way" button that works on the self-absorbed asshole yapping on his cellphone while driving his enormous SUV 52 in the 65 passing lane and backing up traffic for a mile behind him! I push the button, he moves his ass over and life goes on.
Well, I guess a rocket launcher would do, too.
The good ole' BBC has done some interesting comparisons involving Automobiles, which the Google heads have kindly made available on line:p>
Old vs New is here.
But my favorate by far is Play Station vs Real Life here.
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It would be even better if I could step into my car with a latte, cell phone, and laptop, ask the car to take me to the airport, and read slashdot along the way. My guess is that it will happen within 20 years.
1950 called. It wants its prediction back.
"It would be even better if I could step into my car with a latte, cell phone, and laptop, ask the car to take me to the airport, and read slashdot along the way."
Exactly what I want, public transport without the, errr, ummm, public.
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
I believe the English car manufacturers mastered automatic breaking of their cars years ago: simply starting the engine was often enough to make my old Rover break. I'm surprised that Mercedes would want to reduce their reliability to the same level.
Not me. I just stuck my big foot out the door and stopped right then. Tore up a lot of shoes back then.
Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.