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Will Robot Cabs Unjam the Streets?

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-more-parking dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The Atlantic has a story with some video of a traffic simulator showing just how the roads can be jammed up by people looking for a place to park. (You can play with the simulator too.) This has been suspected for a long time by many traffic researchers and city planners, but the simulator shows just how quickly the roads jam up after just a few of the blocks fill up with parked cars. The good news is that autonomous cars don't need to park-- they just go give someone else a ride. They could change city life forever.

3 of 280 comments (clear)

  1. But not in Philadelphia by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    They may work elsewhere but they will just get beaten up in Philadelphia.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  2. Frickin Laser Beams by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Funny

    If the robot cabs are given laser beams and missile launchers they will. Boy will they ever.

    "HitchBot 2 - HitchBot's Back, And He's Pissed!!!!!" (not suitable for all audiences, extreme violence and some robot nudity)

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  3. No alaska will get the traffic jam by goombah99 · · Score: 3, Funny

    when thousands of unconscious drunk people, faces covered in felt marker writing wake up and stumble out of their cabs and collectively ask where the hell am I. And the cab says "Anchorage Alaska, that'll be $1500.00 for the ride."
    At least there will be enough cabs to take them home right there.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.