I'm no technophobe, nor am I worried about autonomous vehicles in particular. Further, I'm confident that at some point in the future they'll be a reality. Like cars did to horses, it's surely coming, one day, whether 10, 20, or 50 years from now (10 is very unlikely).

What I find puzzling and somewhat irritating is why we (our government) is spending even a moment of real effort on this topic, at this time. How can it be, realistically, even in the top 100 most important things we need to work on at this juncture?

I mean, strictly speaking, it's probably getting movement now because xyz lobbyists are paying Congress critters to give it their attention, because that's more or less how it works for everything. But I seriously doubt it truly represents the people's interests, at this time.

It's stories like this that make it easy - but no less annoying - to understand why nothing much of any real use or import happens in D.C. How about some focus, and concentrated effort, on, I dunno, maybe the top 10 or even 20 most important topics?

Like a bunch of kids who work at Wendy's fucking around when there's no boss there, that's Congress and much of our government on most days, wasting untold valuable and finite resources on all manner of things with no real sense of priority, focus, or discipline.

But hey, I liked the Jetsons, too, when I was a kid. But I'm just not buying the idea that it matters enough right now, that it's a necessary topic, that it requires our attention, our resources. It won't aid congestion anytime soon, we have tons of fossil fuels, etc.

(eyeroll)

source

Can you name a few examples of what you consider to be the top 10 or 20 more important issues?

If we ignore issues simply because "there's more important things to do first", nothing would ever get done, because there will always be more important things.

Humans are inherently bad at driving because we make mistakes, get tired, have emotions, varying skills, vision, and can be easily distracted, so there are very good reasons to develop this kind of technology.

Consider that Americans depend so heavily on driving to perform daily activities, who's to say that this isn't "important"?

In no particular order, and off the top of my head, and acknowledging that I'm probably forgetting several other things which I bet most would agree rank as more important - even if we all agree this topic goes on the proverbial list *somewhere*:

Tax Reform
Balanced Budget
Illegal Immigration and Border Protection
Deregulation and general Government Efficiency
Filling the currently vacant Federal Judgeships
Healthcare
Welfare Reform
Disaster Preparedness
Terrorism and our fighting in the 'Stans
China and North Korea
Heart Disease and Cancer (both of which kill more people than auto accidents)

Also, I think it's fair to say we already never get much done, which I assert is partly because of this sort of out-of-order use of time and resources, and perhaps also why we often half ass what we do do, or why they don't have time to read the flipping legislation they're actually voting on beforehand. Give them half as many things to do, and let them spend twice the resources actually doing the best we can do. Happens everywhere I've ever worked, and for good reasons. Debate the hard topics, draft and re-draft, and repeat as necessary until the most important shit gets done. We can't just skip to item 50 or 250 because the top 20 are difficult.

And I'm not suggesting we ban the idea, or forbid research, which is already happening anyway.

Lastly, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done regarding this topic, like infrastructure upgrades (clear lines and markers, designated lanes in places, etc), and the people and the government have only barely started to cipher the downstream effects on the economy once it's widespread, as it will impact several industries from Insurance to Convenient Stores to Transportation to Organ Donations to general Unemployment.

Thus, at present it's a topic best left for academia and technology to suss out and get back to us all later, on top of which - I assert - we (specifically the Federal Government and Congress) also have more important shit to do, at this time / for the near to mid term.

Congress seems to set it's agenda like everyday is Casual Friday and there is an unlimited amount of time/resources. The fine art of disguised casualness masquerading as work, which is exactly the kind of crap people do when someone else is footing the bill (us).

There are probably more important things and there are certainly less important things, but it doesn't mean that some of the "lesser" don't deserve any attention. Especially things where agreements can be reached and progress made. I despise the use of "saving lives hyperbole", but this is something that long term legitimately will save thousands of lives and millions of dollars.

Y'all can keep your self driving cars.

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
There are probably more important things and there are certainly less important things, but it doesn't mean that some of the "lesser" don't deserve any attention. Especially things where agreements can be reached and progress made. I despise the use of "saving lives hyperbole", but this is something that long term legitimately will save thousands of lives and millions of dollars.

It's called "prioritizing."

I'm WAY more likely to be killed in an auto accident than by a NK missile or a terrorist.

It seems like something worth pursuing. It may take decades to make it happen, but might as well start now. Since the drivers themselves are almost always the cause of everything from road congestion to deaths, it makes sense to take us out of the equation. Despite each of us thinking we are good drivers and it's "the other guy" causing the problems, the different styles of driving often clash and make matters worse.

I can see where a driverless system could make the whole system flow more smoothly by facilitating merges, eliminating gawker slowdowns and accurately calculating safe following distances. That would reduce some of the need for additional highway lanes, make our commutes faster and reduce insurance costs.

All this, and the young women can text and SnapChat on their way to work.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
I'm no technophobe, nor am I worried about autonomous vehicles in particular. Further, I'm confident that at some point in the future they'll be a reality. Like cars did to horses, it's surely coming, one day, whether 10, 20, or 50 years from now (10 is very unlikely).

What I find puzzling and somewhat irritating is why we (our government) is spending even a moment of real effort on this topic, at this time. How can it be, realistically, even in the top 100 most important things we need to work on at this juncture?

But hey, I liked the Jetsons, too, when I was a kid. But I'm just not buying the idea that it matters enough right now, that it's a necessary topic, that it requires our attention, our resources. It won't aid congestion anytime soon, we have tons of fossil fuels, etc.

I believe the technology to do this is much closer than you think, like within five years.

It is already being used in crash avoidance systems in many luxury cars and cars that can self park. Tesla already claims its cars can drive themselves.

Auto manufactures have been investing huge sums of money in this for a number of years. Both Apple and Google have also invested in it as it is a natural extension of the Internet of Things (IoT).

I would not expect this to be deployed in passenger vehicles first, however. I think we will first see it deployed in delivery vehicles. Once it gains acceptance it will move into passenger vehicles.

It stands to be a major technology disrupter. So it makes sense for the Gov't. To be ahead of it for once instead of playing catch-up.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
I believe the technology to do this is much closer than you think, like within five years.

I'd agree with this. 5 to 10 for it to be fairly mainstreamed. 10 years is eons in terms of tech. Pretty much all of smart phone history has happened in the last 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
I believe the technology to do this is much closer than you think, like within five years.

I'd agree with this. 5 to 10 for it to be fairly mainstreamed. 10 years is eons in terms of tech. Pretty much all of smart phone history has happened in the last 10 years.

This.

I think 46and2 may not be aware of exactly where this technology is today. All this bill does is lay out a clear regulatory framework for dealing with these things.

They are already here. They are already operating on public roadways. Might as well get ahead of the curve before they're ready for prime time. Every time I'm trying to merge with idiots, avoiding death in a traffic circle being used by morons, or waiting at a light while no traffic is passing, I look forward to seeing that in the next decade.

Besides, it's not like this took up a lot of time. Three committee hearings (in which this was one of multiple pieces of legislation discussed) and a unanimous vote = very light work.

-Rob

Also remember it'll take them 10 years to get the law built, passed, litigated, amended and of course, -- to find every possible way to get taxes attached to the currently unregulated industry (read: freedom must be squished and wrung-out for cash).

quote:

Originally posted by synthplayer:

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
There are probably more important things and there are certainly less important things, but it doesn't mean that some of the "lesser" don't deserve any attention. Especially things where agreements can be reached and progress made. I despise the use of "saving lives hyperbole", but this is something that long term legitimately will save thousands of lives and millions of dollars.

It's called "prioritizing."

I'm aware of the concept, but to imply that somehow this is the legislation taking time and resources away from everything else is foolish. Frankly, there is a lot more value here than in a lot of stuff that the legislature spends their time on. It's something they all seem to be willing to agree on, it's going to have to happen eventually, and I'm certain there will not be a shortage of "more important" things until forever.

People will soon regret supporting this nonsense. People are going to die as a result of this unnecessary Buck Rogers crap. Yeah, an unmanned truck weighing several tons, barreling down the road at 70 mph. What could go wrong?

Insanity. It's the very definition of insanity, folks.

Oh, but it's "progress", right? Maybe I'll live to see people wake up to how very much they've compromised their own safety on the roadways. No doubt, they'll all be shocked that this crap didn't work out.

Implemented: 2028

Banned from American roadways: 2035

Last technology conference I attended pretty much indicated "it" is already here. It is now a mater of implementation. Looking into the crystal ball suggests within the next 8 years it'll be full blown to the extent that:

You will only rent a car - no ownership

There will be no need for your auto insurance - insurance industry shrinks

You will plan and order a car to pick you up and deliver you where you want

The car will know when to get gas, change oil, etc.

No dog in the fight, but has been suggested in this thread and at the conference, "it" is here and it's not going to stop.

==========================================
Just my 2¢
____________________________

Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right ♫♫♫

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
In no particular order.... acknowledging that I'm probably forgetting several other things which I bet most would agree rank as more important - even if we all agree this topic goes on the proverbial list *somewhere

quote:

Originally posted by synthplayer:
It's called "prioritizing."

Agree 100% - there a WAY more important topics for these knuckleheads to be working on. But we will continue to see them fuck everything up, including this stupid idea. Have they even stopped to think if people even want these cars, if we want to spend the extra money they are going to cost - oh wait that's right just like every other stupid program the .gov will subsidize them.

Get on the current problems (some mostly created by them).

The "technology" may be here, or getting very close. Yes, I can acknowledge that.

I also know if you enjoy cars, you'll have none of it. There will be resistance from any person who actually knows how to use a clutch.

This is where the rubber meets the road.

I'm ready to hack your autonomous bullshit just to fuck with you and make a point that you should walk or ride a bike.

I don't like riding with other people because I am not in control. Same reason why I don't like flying. I sure as fuck will NOT ride in an autonomous vehicle of any kind period. Also I used to race cars on road racing tracks and enjoy driving. Nothing like having all your windows down and cruising down a random beautiful backroad with your favorite tunes playing. Nowadays I'm in to off roading and that is really fun too.

quote:

Originally posted by slyguy:
I'm ready to hack your autonomous bullshit just to fuck with you and make a point that you should walk or ride a bike.

Not sure how much there would be to hack. Self driving cars use GPS satilies. But only to receive a signal to triangulate position. It’s a receiver, so it would be like hacking an FM radio.

The maps and radar systems are self contained on each vehicle.

There have been experiments where people have hacked critical systems on a car as it was operating, but the conditions they did it under are so controlled, it’s laughable. That being said, the auto industry has never put security at the top of their priorities list. With the help of tech companies, that will change.

Honestly, I think there’s a better chance of today's traffic lights getting hacked.

quote:

Originally posted by slyguy:
The "technology" may be here, or getting very close. Yes, I can acknowledge that.

I also know if you enjoy cars, you'll have none of it. There will be resistance from any person who actually knows how to use a clutch.

This is where the rubber meets the road.

I'm ready to hack your autonomous bullshit just to fuck with you and make a point that you should walk or ride a bike.

Indeed, sir.

I want nothing to do with it. And if autonomous cars were someday mandated, what then of motorcycles?

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by slyguy:
The "technology" may be here, or getting very close. Yes, I can acknowledge that.

I also know if you enjoy cars, you'll have none of it. There will be resistance from any person who actually knows how to use a clutch.

This is where the rubber meets the road.

I'm ready to hack your autonomous bullshit just to fuck with you and make a point that you should walk or ride a bike.

Indeed, sir.

I want nothing to do with it. And if autonomous cars were someday mandated, what then of motorcycles?

I'd guess the insurance required to operate a motorcycle or non-autonomous car would become cost prohibitive. Or they'll tax them into oblivion and you’ll have to buy a restricted “recreational permit”.

Then again, they can also restrict you to local streets. Kind of like there aren’t many ways to ride a horse to work these days. Not being a smart ass, but I’m sure there were people that weren’t ready to give up their horse.