Slashdot Mirror
Driverless Cars Begin 8,000-Mile Trek
apoc.famine writes "Driverless technology from the University of Parma's VisLab was deployed in a real-world test on Tuesday. Two driverless chase vehicles will attempt to follow two lead vehicles across multiple continents, from Italy to China, over the course of three months. The journey will cover over 8,000 miles, (~13,000 km) as the chase vehicles use lasers and cameras to navigate hazards along the way. The team expects to collect about 100 TB of data, which requires a hefty electronics and battery load — the scale is such that the cars can only run for about three hours before needing 8 hours to recharge the batteries. This journey is being billed as just a test, and far from a real-world application. The vehicles don't go more than about 35mph, and need a person behind the wheel to take over at a moment's notice. 'What we are trying to do is stress our systems and see if they can work in a real environment, with real weather, real traffic, and crazy people who cross the road in front of you and a vehicle that cuts you off,' said project leader Alberto Broggi. The goal is not to produce just road vehicles, but to improve the technology so it can be used in military and agricultural roles as well. The team hopes to have helped mature the technology within the next 10-20 years to the point that it can be used on the road."
I can't wait for this to be on sale for the public. No need to park your car in the city to go to work just have it drop you off at the front door, park somewhere free, avoid the parking police, then when your finished for the day call it up to come and get you. That’s just on a weekday can you imagine the fun you could have on the weekend knowing you have a computer driver ready to take you to the next pub, or get you back to the flower garden next to your driveway.
Rocket Surgeon.
* The car can park itself anywhere, get service or pick up stuff while you're working. Less need to use valuable city real estate and street area on parking. And as people no longer park along the streets they get effectively wider, with more space for traffic but also for bicycle lanes.
* A two-car family may only need one, as the car can go by itself to pick up family members as they need it.
* A family may in fact own no car. Car pooling becomes much more effective when you can call up a car from the pool to your front door at any time.
* No need for a license. People with dementia, or taking medication, or with severe disabilities, or underage can still get around, no problem.
* The cars will be scrupulous about obeying traffic laws and speed limits. But even with a small part self-driving cars, they will act as pace cars and slow and smooth traffic for everyone. Even more so, as they'll be recording everything happening around them, and other drivers know it. Pace will be slower, but people will arrive sooner.
* Life becomes tough for taxi drivers. Taking a taxi would become the same as short-term car rental in practice, and cheaper than taxis as there's no drivers salary to pay.
* Point to point transport becomes cheaper too, with driverless vans and trucks shuttling between shipment centers.
* Driverless drive-ins means you can send a car to do a lot of your errands.
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
It is unmanned......apart from that guy.
Wanna buy a shirt?
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