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Driverless Cars Could Make Transportation Free for Everyone -- With a Catch (theatlantic.com)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the very-probable dept.

Want a gratis ride? You'll just have to stop at some stores along the way. The Atlantic explores a possible future with autonomous cars: In a world full of autonomous autos, transportation will become free. Not just hands-free, or driver-free, or go-wherever-you-want free. But free as in beer: complimentary, gratis. Summon a car and travel for nothing -- that is, so long as you are willing to make a stop or two en route at sponsoring locations. Picture a not-too-distant future where a trip across town is available to anyone who will spend 15 minutes in McDonald's on the way. Not a fast-food fan? Then for you it's Starbucks, a bookstore, the game parlor. Rides with a child stop at the Disney store, while teenage girls are routed via next decade's version of Zara and H&M. Unlike today's UberPool, with its roundabout routes and multiple passenger pickups, "UberFree" features tailor-made routes and thoughtfully targeted stops. Realtors could pay to have the cars drive slowly past featured properties for sale, past the nice new elementary school in the slightly more affluent neighborhood.

4 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah that would be awful by redmid17 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'd rather pay to ride public transit or drive my own car instead of living in that dystopian hell. If you think that's a realistic view of the future, I weep for your parents -- they clearly failed you -- and humanity in general.

    1. Re:Yeah that would be awful by farble1670 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you think that's a realistic view of the future, I weep for your parents

      Thinking it's realistic and thinking it's awesome are different. I can think it's realistic and still think it's awful.

      Anyway, people have shown time and again that they are willing to trade privacy, subjection to advertising for a free product or service. Seems pretty realistic to me.

    2. Re: Yeah that would be awful by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The whole idea is stupid. I could hack around that in about 30 seconds of trying.

      You want to go to BigBoxCo

      Option 1: "Take me to BigBoxCo", but it makes one stop at McDonalds and waits 15 minutes there.

      Option 2 : "Take me to McDonalds". And when you get there, "Take me to BigBoxCo" (no wait)

      Option 3: "Take me to BigBoxCo", stops at McDonalds, you and your friend get out and get into the next car "Take me to BigBoxCo", meanwhile useless car is useless for 15 minutes, waiting for you to come back.

      The real way to do it is to put a big screen TV in it, and play ads for the duration of the trip. You could even do games (for a fee) while en route. Play against the car next to you.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
  2. sounds delightful! by rogoshen1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How is this any different than being herded like fucking cattle?

    It seems like any time there's a trade between personal responsibility and autonomy for safety/efficiency -- It's never for the benefit of the everyday person. Regardless of how it's spun.

    They'll have to pry my cold, lifeless hands off of my steering wheel.