So I was reading the news this morning and came across this:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36339340

 

and it got me thinking. More and more companies are investing in this technology and indeed Uber's goal is to eliminate the need for car ownership.

 

Could this be the beginning of the end for the car enthusiast? The detailer? The home mechanic?

 

For me, owning a car is partly a hobby as I enjoy detailing, looking after it and generally tinkering, but it would seem that if Uber get their way the roads will be filled with generic "cars on demand" that we don't even drive.

 

So what do we all think? Is this the future? Or will it not catch on?

Most people living in cities around the world already do this. Owning a car, paying for a parking permit/space + upkeep when you can bus or tube makes it a non starter to own a car.

I've seen the future of Uber,,,,,,,,,

 

It couldn't fail to be an improvement on the clueless buffoons that currently drive for them.

It couldn't fail to be an improvement on the clueless buffoons that currently drive for them.

I take great offence to that, some of us are dedicated drivers that actually give a ****!

G

I take great offence to that, some of us are dedicated drivers that actually give a ****!

G

Apologies, no offence was intended. It's just that I tried Uber a few times and they were a nightmare - none of the drivers had any local knowledge whatsoever.

Apologies, no offence was intended. It's just that I tried Uber a few times and they were a nightmare - none of the drivers had any local knowledge whatsoever.

Lol, yeh uber Glasgow, drivers aren't the greatest.

Have a look here Brian, might help you out

https://m.facebook.com/Directairporttaxis/

Not just airport, but city stuff. Local knowledge drivers

G

I must be some sort of idiotic troglodyte, but I can't see driverless cars mixed in with normal cars being anything other than a liability and a distraction.

I work with a lad who is half my age and we were looking at jobs the other day. His default position was "Can I get there by public transport, a mix of train/bus and if absolutely necessary, a taxi from the station ? " He was pondering all sorts of options, changing at stations etc whereas I thought, "I'd just drive..."  Generational thing or do the younger ones not start with the car these days due to not being able to park at University or college and being massively put off by stupid insurance costs ?

I must be some sort of idiotic troglodyte, but I can't see driverless cars mixed in with normal cars being anything other than a liability and a distraction.

How so?

 

The computers controlling them have been fed with millions of hours worth of traffic data to predict what a driven car is going to do and can react much quicker than a human could.

 

Sure the technology is in its infancy, but by the time you're able to buy a driverless car the technology will be more than capable.

I don't think the inputs/'sensory processing' will be reliable enough for the real world even in the fairly distant future. Too many variables, not least the humans in other cars.

You'd think by now cruise control could include steering? Doesn't exist as far as I know.

I work with a lad who is half my age and we were looking at jobs the other day. His default position was "Can I get there by public transport, a mix of train/bus and if absolutely necessary, a taxi from the station ? " He was pondering all sorts of options, changing at stations etc whereas I thought, "I'd just drive..." Generational thing or do the younger ones not start with the car these days due to not being able to park at University or college and being massively put off by stupid insurance costs ?

Its a generational thing imo.

i turned 17 and was down te barracks that evening with my provisional application to get it stamped and sent off.

my little sister is now 21 (12rs younger than me), grew up in the same house in the country, only did her theory test about a yr go an has done 3 of the now mandatory 12 hrs driver training. She wouldve gone straight to test on old system if shed bothered applying younger,

Bu didnt see the need??? Gettimg license was my ticket to indepence!!!

I don't think the inputs/'sensory processing' will be reliable enough for the real world even in the fairly distant future. Too many variables, not least the humans in other cars.

You'd think by now cruise control could include steering? Doesn't exist as far as I know.

there's steer assist and park assist so maybe not too far off.

I was driving a lovely windy road up the eastern shore of Bassenthwaite Lake yesterday thinking "would I trust a computer to take over while I just sat?" Not a chance.  Dry stone walls, pushbikes, sheep, dappled light through trees... you can keep your computer for useful stuff like forums.

 

And what about when an emergency vehicle comes up behind it in dense traffic and the best 'get out of the way' strategy is to mount a kerb? Is that gonna be programmed in, safely?

I don't think the inputs/'sensory processing' will be reliable enough for the real world even in the fairly distant future. Too many variables, not least the humans in other cars.

You'd think by now cruise control could include steering? Doesn't exist as far as I know.

The Teslas can drive without a drivers input cant they?

And the new merc e-class is supposed to have some kind of autopilot.

I wonder how they cope on snow...