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Volvo Unveils Autonomous Concept Car, WIth Retracting Wheel, 25" Display (computerworld.com)

Posted by timothy on from the and-so-safe dept.

Lucas123 writes: Volvo has revealed what is sees as the future of self-driving vehicles, a car that has three autonomous driving options, one of which includes a retracting steering wheel, reclining seats with foot rests and a tray table. Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, the Concept 26 also has a 25-in interactive display. Volvo is also among the first to address the subject of self-driving cars and liability, saying we firmly believe that car makers should take full responsibility for the actions of the car when it is driving in full autonomous mode."

6 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Eagerly looking forward to this technology by The-Ixian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I haven't had a car for many years and don't foresee buying one any time soon.

    However, once self driving cars are a reality, I will certainly consider buying one.

    I suspect that I am not alone in this. It will be a huge selling point for these car companies and will perhaps turn non car owners into car owners.

    --
    My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    1. Re:Eagerly looking forward to this technology by suutar · · Score: 3, Insightful

      if a car needs someone to take over _suddenly_ it doesn't matter. Nobody's going to be paying enough attention to what's going on every minute of every trip to be ready to take over on the one trip when the car can't handle it.

  2. Re:Volvo says it will be liable for any accidents by jellomizer · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Even though Volvo will be liable, however that doesn't really excuse them for taking the steering wheel away from the driver.
    There is legal liability. However that isn't much condolence if you are in the car about to get into an accident which you could avoid if you could.

    Well I am going to lose my arm or die. However I will take comfort in the fact that I will get a big payout for this. Even though if I had access to a wheel and brake I could have saved myself.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  3. Re:Volvo says it will be liable for any accidents by jellomizer · · Score: 1, Insightful

    To expand further. It is like if you are driving and you can safely avoid someone rear ending you. But you don't because they are liable.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  4. More importantly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    More importantly, this is probably the first direct statement from a car manufacturer that THEY consider themselves 100% responsible for any accidents or problems when the car is in self drive mode.

    This statement alone is more news worthy then the self-driving car itself!

  5. Re:Volvo says it will be liable for any accidents by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Have you ever been in an accident? It's pretty rare that you can actually see them coming. Otherwise, you would have avoided it, right? Or put another way... even if you can see it coming, it's likely that had you seen it earlier, there would be no need for last second heroic swerving or braking maneuvers.

    Short of some horrible malfunction on multiple levels, a computer is going to start slowing down or braking long before a human is even aware of a potential problem. The autonomous car has the advantage of literally being able to see in all directions at once, and being able to react to that information in the blink of an eye.

    Typical future scenario in your autonomous vehicle: "Why the hell is the car slowing d... oh, I see..."

    --
    Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.