Robots can get driver's license in Nevada

MarcoD

This is most likely a solution to congestion; the fact that other drivers don't need to steer is only a benefit. Though I guess it may be interesting to see what happens if one of the other drivers falls asleep.

Borg

I like the idea of robotic cars and think that they will probably outperform humans - especially with regards to paying attention. In fact, I look forward to the day when a car automatically drives whenever the 'driver' is texting or talking on the phone.

With regards to rootX's post on the first page, I wouldn't be surprised that most people eventually wouldn't even know how to drive. I could easily see GenX-ers someday telling their grandchildren that they remember when cars didn't drive themselves.

Office_Shredder

And every action movie will include a scene where the automatic driver gets killed for some reason and the hero has to steer the car down an empty street at 25 mph

Ryan_m_b

The link I provided was not to do with the US. I appreciate that in the US the situation might be different due to distances however in the UK (which my link was talking about) increased access to transportation could be a huge boon for the poorest people. The population density of the UK is extremely high, there aren't many places that are less than an hours drive from a major town/city. The problem is getting people in areas of high unemployment to places where there are jobs. I'm not suggesting this as a solution to the unemployment problem at all, I'm suggesting that it could help however by giving everyone the chance to be a commuter and by speeding up commutes through far better coordination.

For the latter here's a great example: I got a lift to work this morning and we were stopped at some traffic lights. The driver was gazing out of the window and didn't realise the light had turned green. She quickly realised and drove off but not before a few seconds had passed leaving a gap between us and the next car that a couple of cars could fit in. That means that someone is going to get stuck at those lights who wouldn't have before and this kind of thing happens all the time. If cars could not only self-drive but share data with each other then they could move in a far more efficient and coordinated manner reducing fuel costs and travel times.

ThomasT

Ok. But you don't need robots for that. Just put more buses (I don't know what you call them in England) in service. Each bus can carry, what, about 50 or 60 people at a time -- with one driver. How are robot drivers going to make any difference at all?

I think this whole robot driver robot vehicle thing is just, well, sort of idiotic. But that's just my current opinion, and, of course, it could be quite wrong.

Borg

It wouldn't be an action movie if you didn't at least put an unattended baby carriage at the end of the block.
I agree. A lot of congestion is due to driver inattentiveness and also inconsiderate behavior. I have often seen people who will drive in the left lane with the goal of cutting over to the right at the last possible moment so that they don't waste any of their precious time. Unfortunately, this causes all of the people behind to suddenly stop, which then leads to irregular accelerations, gaps and slower average speeds.

Ryan_m_b

If you mean this then yes we do call them buses and yup you are absolutely right better use of them and trains, trams etc are a must for a better public transport service. If self-driving cars came in this could substantially change public transport for the better e.g. smaller buses with variable (within limits) routes that can pick up and drop of people to different places on demand for a more flexible service. Also as has been stated self-driving cars could have far faster and more efficient traffic.

Lastly if self-driving cars were utilised as PRT you wouldn't need one per person, cars IRL probably spend 90% of there time stationary not servicing anyone. It's quite conceivable that one self-driving car could serve 50 people but in a faster, more convenient way. Problems of travel in peak time would have to be mitigated but I'm sure they could e.g. automatic car pooling.

Bare in mind that I'm not saying that nothing can be done without self-driving cars. But I'm saying that they could dramatically increase the capability and efficiency of public transport systems.

jobyts

Not sure if someone already mentioned this earlier.

In Nevada, if a pedestrian crosses the road in an unmarked area and a car hits him/her, the law favors the car driver. In California, the law always favor the pedestrian, regardless of whose fault it is.

Pythagorean

Easy lawsuit generator in Cali. Bring your own neck brace.

SW VandeCarr

Everyone is talking about the risks/benefits of giving robots drivers' licenses, but that's not the reason the state is doing this. The state is broke. They just need the revenue. I think the next step will be robot marriage licenses, including for gay robot marriage (quickie divorces too).

EDIT: And where else can you get married by a (robotic?) Elvis impersonator?.

Pythagorean

when can I get married to a robot?

Ryan_m_b

If it's ever allowed you'll have to get in line behind these guys:

Greg Bernhardt

Wow! A real life Lars and the Real Girl!

CaptFirePanda

There's also the dude who married his anime pillow and the other on who married some character from a Nintendo DS game.