Self-Driving and Driver Assist Cars

Lord Tammerlain · Aug 22, 2017

First off I have to say, that self-driving technology has progress to an amazing level. I have a 2016 Honda Accord with Honda Sensing; it would have the ability of driving on the high way/freeway for most of my 31 mile commute. It can break by itself, adjust its highway speed, stay in its lane, and go around gentle corners without any drivers input. Or at least it would if it did not demand steering input after a few seconds. Other cars are even more advanced, like the Tesla and Cadillac CT6.

I am sure this technology is going to improve and get better over time. Within a few years I am sure it would be possible under ideal conditions to get in the back seat of your car, have it drive to work and let you get out without doing anything other than setting the destination.

That said, given the autopilot on the cars work using a variety of sensors including camera’s to identify road marking, road signs what happens during say a snow storm? Will the auto pilots work during a snow storm when the road markings are covered up, and road signs are not visible?
This can be a huge issue at least in more northern areas. Even with people driving regularly the number of accidents during the first snow storm of the year jumps dramatically. Can you imagine the accidents caused when people have not driven for 7 months when the weather was good. Or will traffic just shut down during those days as people just give up on trying to get anywhere?

MaggieD · Aug 22, 2017

Lord Tammerlain said:
First off I have to say, that self-driving technology has progress to an amazing level. I have a 2016 Honda Accord with Honda Sensing; it would have the ability of driving on the high way/freeway for most of my 31 mile commute. It can break by itself, adjust its highway speed, stay in its lane, and go around gentle corners without any drivers input. Or at least it would if it did not demand steering input after a few seconds. Other cars are even more advanced, like the Tesla and Cadillac CT6.

I am sure this technology is going to improve and get better over time. Within a few years I am sure it would be possible under ideal conditions to get in the back seat of your car, have it drive to work and let you get out without doing anything other than setting the destination.

That said, given the autopilot on the cars work using a variety of sensors including camera’s to identify road marking, road signs what happens during say a snow storm? Will the auto pilots work during a snow storm when the road markings are covered up, and road signs are not visible?
This can be a huge issue at least in more northern areas. Even with people driving regularly the number of accidents during the first snow storm of the year jumps dramatically. Can you imagine the accidents caused when people have not driven for 7 months when the weather was good. Or will traffic just shut down during those days as people just give up on trying to get anywhere?

It's amazing they've come so far. You mention snowstorms. Same could apply, I think, in a driving rain...

OlNate · Aug 22, 2017

Lord Tammerlain said:
First off I have to say, that self-driving technology has progress to an amazing level. I have a 2016 Honda Accord with Honda Sensing; it would have the ability of driving on the high way/freeway for most of my 31 mile commute. It can break by itself, adjust its highway speed, stay in its lane, and go around gentle corners without any drivers input. Or at least it would if it did not demand steering input after a few seconds. Other cars are even more advanced, like the Tesla and Cadillac CT6.

I am sure this technology is going to improve and get better over time. Within a few years I am sure it would be possible under ideal conditions to get in the back seat of your car, have it drive to work and let you get out without doing anything other than setting the destination.

That said, given the autopilot on the cars work using a variety of sensors including camera’s to identify road marking, road signs what happens during say a snow storm? Will the auto pilots work during a snow storm when the road markings are covered up, and road signs are not visible?
This can be a huge issue at least in more northern areas. Even with people driving regularly the number of accidents during the first snow storm of the year jumps dramatically. Can you imagine the accidents caused when people have not driven for 7 months when the weather was good. Or will traffic just shut down during those days as people just give up on trying to get anywhere?

Found this:

Driverless Cars: How Do They Work? | Time.com

Very interested to see how this turns out. The impact on death from drunk driving alone is worth the investment in the tech.

Lutherf · Aug 22, 2017

Lord Tammerlain said:
First off I have to say, that self-driving technology has progress to an amazing level. I have a 2016 Honda Accord with Honda Sensing; it would have the ability of driving on the high way/freeway for most of my 31 mile commute. It can break by itself, adjust its highway speed, stay in its lane, and go around gentle corners without any drivers input. Or at least it would if it did not demand steering input after a few seconds. Other cars are even more advanced, like the Tesla and Cadillac CT6.

I am sure this technology is going to improve and get better over time. Within a few years I am sure it would be possible under ideal conditions to get in the back seat of your car, have it drive to work and let you get out without doing anything other than setting the destination.

That said, given the autopilot on the cars work using a variety of sensors including camera’s to identify road marking, road signs what happens during say a snow storm? Will the auto pilots work during a snow storm when the road markings are covered up, and road signs are not visible?
This can be a huge issue at least in more northern areas. Even with people driving regularly the number of accidents during the first snow storm of the year jumps dramatically. Can you imagine the accidents caused when people have not driven for 7 months when the weather was good. Or will traffic just shut down during those days as people just give up on trying to get anywhere?

I was driving an Acura MDX a while ago tried to brake for me once. It was, frankly, disconcerting. I'm not a big fan of vehicles I'm supposed to be in control of making decisions for themselves.

RAMOSS · Aug 22, 2017

Lord Tammerlain said:
First off I have to say, that self-driving technology has progress to an amazing level. I have a 2016 Honda Accord with Honda Sensing; it would have the ability of driving on the high way/freeway for most of my 31 mile commute. It can break by itself, adjust its highway speed, stay in its lane, and go around gentle corners without any drivers input. Or at least it would if it did not demand steering input after a few seconds. Other cars are even more advanced, like the Tesla and Cadillac CT6.

I am sure this technology is going to improve and get better over time. Within a few years I am sure it would be possible under ideal conditions to get in the back seat of your car, have it drive to work and let you get out without doing anything other than setting the destination.

That said, given the autopilot on the cars work using a variety of sensors including camera’s to identify road marking, road signs what happens during say a snow storm? Will the auto pilots work during a snow storm when the road markings are covered up, and road signs are not visible?
This can be a huge issue at least in more northern areas. Even with people driving regularly the number of accidents during the first snow storm of the year jumps dramatically. Can you imagine the accidents caused when people have not driven for 7 months when the weather was good. Or will traffic just shut down during those days as people just give up on trying to get anywhere?

Liadar https://readwrite.com/2016/12/19/how-self-driving-cars-handle-snow-tl4/

Lord Tammerlain · Aug 22, 2017

Lutherf said:
I was driving an Acura MDX a while ago tried to brake for me once. It was, frankly, disconcerting. I'm not a big fan of vehicles I'm supposed to be in control of making decisions for themselves.

The adaptive cruise control will do that as well if someone pulls in front of me. It brought my car down to 40 mph from 65 mph without my braking. But yes it is disconcerting and at times annoying. But I still get a kick from taking my hands of the steering wheel at 65 mph as the car is taking a corner and stays perfectly in the center of the lane

RAMOSS · Aug 22, 2017

OlNate said:
Found this:

Driverless Cars: How Do They Work? | Time.com

Very interested to see how this turns out. The impact on death from drunk driving alone is worth the investment in the tech.

The reason I had to go to Texas for 7 months last year was the woman I had taken care of after she got kicked out of the house by her mother started getting breakthrough seizures, and couldn't drive. She has her seizures under control now, but think what it would be for independence for 1) elderly drivers, and 2_ People who can not drive due to medical conditions once the whole 'driving weather condition' issue is resolved. I hope it's here before I am an old fart and unable to drive. On the other hand my mother will be 91 next week, and she's still able to drive.

Lutherf · Aug 22, 2017

Lord Tammerlain said:
The adaptive cruise control will do that as well if someone pulls in front of me. It brought my car down to 40 mph from 65 mph without my braking. But yes it is disconcerting and at times annoying. But I still get a kick from taking my hands of the steering wheel at 65 mph as the car is taking a corner and stays perfectly in the center of the lane

Yeah....not this guy. I rarely use cruise control so there's no way I'm taking my hands off the wheel at 65, or 25 for that matter.

humbolt · Aug 22, 2017

I'd personally be very pleased to say, "Yes sir, officer. Give this car a ticket. I'll make sure it appears in court at the appointed time."

Conaeolos · Aug 22, 2017

Lord Tammerlain said:
That said, given the autopilot on the cars work using a variety of sensors including camera’s to identify road marking, road signs what happens during say a snow storm? Will the auto pilots work during a snow storm when the road markings are covered up, and road signs are not visible?

The cars will talk to each other and we can install smart signs when we are ready for full roll out. There are also other sensors that will work even with environmental interference.

trblmkr · Aug 22, 2017

We were discussing this at lunch. Our resident robot warrior pondered what would the car do when faced with an oncoming objects in front and pedestrians to the side. I remember deliberately taking a ditch on my panhead to avoid a mess. (not sure I actually thought that through, but that's where I went) Would the car make a "least harm" decision, and would you bear the responsibility for said decision?

trouble13 · Aug 22, 2017

MaggieD said:
It's amazing they've come so far. You mention snowstorms. Same could apply, I think, in a driving rain...

or fog

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Quag · Aug 22, 2017

When some glitch in software or hardware results in death the lawsuits will kill the idea

trouble13 · Aug 22, 2017

humbolt said:
I'd personally be very pleased to say, "Yes sir, officer. Give this car a ticket. I'll make sure it appears in court at the appointed time."

That IMHO is the bigger issue. The gov is not going to like the revenue loss and is going to look for new ways to replace it. I live in an area where they announced they are no longer using redlight cameras because of revenue losses. This after they insisted installing them wasnt a revenue trap but a safety issue.

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trouble13 · Aug 22, 2017

Conaeolos said:
The cars will talk to each other and we can install smart signs when we are ready for full roll out. There are also other sensors that will work even with environmental interference.

built in mapping features also will allow cars to operate without satelite communications. No different than going through an underground tunnel.

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trouble13 · Aug 22, 2017

trblmkr said:
We were discussing this at lunch. Our resident robot warrior pondered what would the car do when faced with an oncoming objects in front and pedestrians to the side. I remember deliberately taking a ditch on my panhead to avoid a mess. (not sure I actually thought that through, but that's where I went) Would the car make a "least harm" decision, and would you bear the responsibility for said decision?

smart cars are suppose to be able to predict accidents and avoid them well in advance so theoretically the car should be able to avoid your scenerio.

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humbolt · Aug 22, 2017

trouble13 said:
That IMHO is the bigger issue. The gov is not going to like the revenue loss and is going to look for new ways to replace it. I live in an area where they announced they are no longer using redlight cameras because of revenue losses. This after they insisted installing them wasnt a revenue trap but a safety issue.

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Ultimately, I think we'll be responsible for the car, whether we control it or not. If that's the case, then I don't want to be in that position.

trouble13 · Aug 22, 2017

humbolt said:
Ultimately, I think we'll be responsible for the car, whether we control it or not. If that's the case, then I don't want to be in that position.

we are already responsible for our cars. Thats what redlight tickets are about. They dont fine the driver. They fine the owner. The problem however is an automated car is going to be less prone to comitting driving infractions so tickets will go down. You cant run a redlight if your car stops and you cant speed if your car controls the throttle, etc... This is going to be a huge finacial impact on the police dept.

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trblmkr · Aug 22, 2017

trouble13 said:
smart cars are suppose to be able to predict accidents and avoid them well in advance so theoretically the car should be able to avoid your scenerio.

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Theoretically, your airbag doesn't blow up in your face and kill you.

humbolt · Aug 22, 2017

trouble13 said:
we are already responsible for our cars. Thats what redlight tickets are about. They dont fine the driver. They fine the owner. The problem however is an automated car is going to be less prone to comitting driving infractions so tickets will go down. You cant run a redlight if your car stops and you cant speed if your car controls the throttle, etc... This is going to be a huge finacial impact on the police dept.

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How are you responsible for your car if you don't control it? Now, I agree that given the driving I've witnessed over the past 10 years or so, taking control away from drivers probably isn't a bad idea. But I still don't see how one can be held responsible for something completely out of one's control.

trouble13 · Aug 22, 2017

humbolt said:
How are you responsible for your car if you don't control it? Now, I agree that given the driving I've witnessed over the past 10 years or so, taking control away from drivers probably isn't a bad idea. But I still don't see how one can be held responsible for something completely out of one's control.

I dont disagree with you but I know for a fact that I am responsible for a redlight ticket even if im not the driver of a vehicle registered to me. Same goes with running a tollbooth. The owner of the car gets the fine not the driver. I assume that would be the same for automated cars too.

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humbolt · Aug 22, 2017

trouble13 said:
I dont disagree with you but I know for a fact that I am responsible for a redlight ticket even if im not the driver of a vehicle registered to me. Same goes with running a tollbooth. The owner of the car gets the fine not the driver. I assume that would be the same for automated cars too.

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Oh, I don't doubt it, but I believe it won't fare well in court when it's tested across the country. Individual states control the traffic laws within their borders, so we could have 50 different controlling authorities. Should be interesting.

Self-Driving and Driver Assist Cars

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