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Idiot Leaves Driver's Seat In Self-Driving Infiniti, On the Highway
cartechboy writes Self-driving cars are coming, that's nothing new. People are somewhat nervous about this technology, and that's also not news. But it appears self-driving cars are already here, and one idiot was dumb enough to climb out of the driver's seat while his car cruised down the highway. The car in question is a new Infiniti Q50, which has Active Lane Control and adaptive cruise control. Both of which essentially turn the Q50 into an autonomous vehicle while at highway speeds. While impressive, taking yourself out of a position where you can quickly and safely regain control of the car if needed is simply dumb. After watching the video, it's abundantly clear why people should be nervous about autonomous vehicles. It's not the cars and tech we need to worry about, it's idiots like this guy.
What? Speak up, I can barely here you.
Yup. And they wrote that while calling someone else an idiot.
I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
Your an idiot!
Absolutely. Anything that *almost* removes the need for you to be behind the wheel is an accident waiting to happen. Even if you remain in your seat, what are the odds that you'll remain alert and aware of the surrounding traffic after the 100th commute where it proved completely unnecessary to do so?
Either give me a car that will let me take a nap while it drives, or leave me in control. I've got better things to do than babysit a computer
--- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
Hyundai did a similar stunt (though using professionals on closed road):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbjdmw8D9-Y
Like Asiana 214, where the pilots didn't know how to fly the plane manually.
Or like the way that, in the name of safety, we've removed trees from the sides of roads because drivers kept hitting them. Now drivers go even faster on those same roads and hit pedestrians who are no longer protected by the trees. How's that for progress?
Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
I would guess that the number of stupid jaywalkers will diminish quickly
In the olden days everyone was too drunk while driving to be scared of the steel spear waiting to impale them for their driving mistakes.
We don't believe in radical loony monotheistic religions from the middle east -- we're Christians.
You're doing it wrong, it's supposed to be "Your and idiot."
Trolling is a art.
WE DON'T HAVE VERY MANY AUTOMATIC TRAINS IN THE WORLD, the reason is because they have to contend with stupid drivers and jaywalkers.
Really? Bet you $500 it has more to do with unions than safety. Most trains can not stop to avoid drivers or jaywalkers. That's why there are train crossings where the cars and peds stop.....simply because the train can not. Trains are much easier to automate than cars or planes, having been done as early as 1961. Today there are several automated passenger trains, I rode on one at the San Fran airport earlier this year.
Self-driving cars will never succeed.
Driverless cars will probably be mandatory in the future, and my guess is that the insurance will become so prohibitively high, that you'll find it much cheaper to buy an automated car.
Year 2045, scene courtroom
Lawyer: So, sir, you (incredulously)willing chose to drive the vehicle by hand?
Defendant: Yes, I did! I just wanted to exercise my right to enjoy driving my car
Lawyer: Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defendant freely admits to wanton and willfully endangering everyone else on the road! You must find him guilty!
Or if you prefer the scene from I,Robot:
Lt. John Bergin: What is the matter with you? Traffic Ops tells me you're driving your car manually. You ran two trucks off the road!
In the olden days, the horse knew the way home.
Actually, there are plenty of other reasons why we remove trees from the sides of roads. Dropped leaves (which can increase braking distances significantly), dropped branches, the chance of the tree falling onto the road during a storm, the risk of obscuring signage and, if the road is below the level of the terrain to either side of it, the chance of roots undermining the banks and causing a landslip.
By and large, while it's never going to be economical or appropriate everywhere, you don't want trees close to major roads.
I've worked in transportation for a good number of years and have been involved in this issue. I don't think "because drivers keep hitting them" ever came up as a reason.
Oh, and it's even more important on the railway. People laugh at the thought on "leaves on the line" causing delays and assume it's just a bullshit excuse. It isn't. What leaves do to trains' ability to accelerate and brake is much, much worse than ice.